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NOVEL METHODS AND MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
Citation:
Harber, A., R. Bain, AND Jr. NOVEL METHODS AND MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-79/079 (NTIS PB80113681), 1979.
Description:
The purpose of this study was to identify the structural and nonstructural factors which influence the cost of construction of municipal wastewater treatment plants and to determine if construction costs could be reduced through the modification of the nonstructural factors or the use of unconventional or novel methods and materials of construction. For nonstructural factors or problems, solutions are posed for some of the identified problems and these are ranked in terms of their potential for implementation and cost savings. Within the top six ranked solutions two involved expansion of the facility planning phase, two involved design criteria while the remaining top ranked solutions involved fast track construction management procedures and adoption of novel ideas. From the structural aspect, those unconventional materials or methods of construction identified as feasible and cost effective were flexible (in situ formed) pipe liner which enables sewers to be relined using existing access, plastic fluid control equipment, and several fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) applications including digester covers, small diameter piping and access bridges for walkways over clarifiers and other process units. The most readily implementable novel concepts identified were vertical shaft construction methods and applications, precast concrete tanks, and reinforced asphalt pond liners. The best ideas identified as requiring further study are shipboard treatment and botanical foul air treatment. Other ideas including those considered non-cost effective are identified.