The project objectives are to develop guidelines to select applicable condition assessment technologies and methods to evaluate the remaining strength of corroded ferrous water pipelines, recommend operational safety factors to safely operate the pipeline without repair under various operating pressures, including surge pressure, and recommend pipe renewal alternatives to meet the safety margin under various operating pressures, including surge pressure.

Applicants may request up to $250,000 in WRF funds for this project, and the anticipated period of performance is 24-36 months. Ferrous pipe materials, including steel and iron, have been used in water pipelines for over a century and are susceptible to internal and external corrosion. While methods for acquiring condition data are improving with technologies like electromagnetic (EM), magnetic flux leakage (MFL), and ultrasonic thickness (UT), a gap exists in comparing results from these technologies. Clear guidelines are needed for pipeline condition evaluation based on these technologies to determine structural limits for steel, ductile iron pipe (DIP), and cast iron pipe (CIP). There is currently no methodology similar to the "Risk Curves" used for prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) that quantifies the relationship between corrosion damage and pipe failure for ferrous pipes.

The project aims to provide utilities with guidance on selecting appropriate assessment technologies and remaining strength evaluation methodologies, including recommended safety factors, to enable safe and reliable water service while maximizing capital investment.

The RFP encourages a flexible and creative research approach. The illustrative approach includes conducting a literature review or case studies, comparing and correlating in-pipe measurements from commercial technologies, and developing a relationship between corrosion damage and the likelihood of failure, considering various pipe configurations. Both simplified and advanced analysis methods, such as finite element and statistical analysis, are desired and must be validated. The project will culminate in the development of guidelines for ferrous pipe condition assessment technology and risk of failure analysis.

Deliverables are also flexible, with examples including a research report, a webcast or conference presentation, a guidance manual, a workshop, and technology deliverables. Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria such as understanding the problem, technical and scientific merit, qualifications, communication plan, and budget.

Proposals will be accepted from both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, consultants, or other for-profit entities. Researchers who are late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to be named participants in any proposals. The deadline for applications is 22 October 2025.

For more information, visit WRF.