The Comparison Analysis of Welding Techniques in Water Distribution Steel Pipes

Abstract

The welded connection is known as an essential factor for establishing qualified construction and/or maintenance of wrapped steel pipe. In this study, welded connection conditions in the coated pipes with large diameter (over 700 mm) in Korea water distribution systems were estimated for suggesting technically and economically available welded connection method. For the study analysis, current steel pipe usage and accident cases were investigated. In addition, the characteristics of each welded connection method and automatic or manual connection techniques were also compared and estimated. As results, automatic welded connection method is superior than manual welded connection method in aspect of pure construction cost (average 9%) or pure welded connection cost (average 13.5%). When the poor welding-working situations in Korea are considered such as high tolerance of out-of-roundness in KS regulation, a number of lap joint welded connections, the real cost benefits of automatic welded connection should be much higher than those of manual welded connections.