BLUTOP joint
Joint performance determines the reliability of the pipelines during the following operations:
– Jointing
– Pressurizing
– During
– The product’s life cycle,
– All conditions of use
PAM has combined all its design skill and know-how, together with that of the very finest gasket manufacturers, in order to create the BLUTOP joint.
One of BLUTOP’s major advantages is the pipeline anchoring system, which eliminates the need for heavy concrete thrust blocks.
The technology developed and patented by PAM has greatly enhanced the competitiveness of its anchoring systems.
Channelling the jointing force
The BLUTOP joint has been specially designed in order to guarantee:
- Easy laying with a lower force requirement to allow for jointing using a crowbar
- Safe laying thanks to a mechanism to prevent the gasket from becoming loose during assembly
- Support points along the fittings make for easy jointing along the correct axis plane
This unique design, which has been perfected in close collaboration with several installers, allows for faster laying without causing additional tiredness and fatigue.
High performance levels
The full use of PAM technologies has made it possible to create high performance BLUTOP joints.
| DN/OD | Classe | PFA
| PMA
| PEA
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 160 | C25 | 25 | 30 | 35 |
Angular deflection
| DN/OD | Tolerated deviation during installation (°) | Shiftling (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 75 to 160 | 6° | 62 |
²
The BLUTOP joint withstands an angular deflection of 6°.
Study of the full range of pressure options
During their useful lifetime, water distribution pipelines are subjected to numerous types of pressure. This naturally includes standard service pressure, but also the following:
- Day / night time pressure cycles
- Water hammer
- Pressure drops
- External pressure from the earth, groundwater
- Period without pressure prior to commencement of operations
In each of these situations, the joints are subjected to specific types of stress. For this reason, all joints for ductile iron pipelines are designed and tested in accordance with strict methods:
- In accordance with EN 545 testing: 4 tests
- PAM’s own specific testing consisting of 4 additional tests
In addition, PAM carefully studies all its new joints using scientific finite element calculus methods similar to those used in the aeronautical and car industries.
These design methods and tests guarantee unbeatable durability and reliability.
Tests
| Method | Conditions | Pressure | Objective | Référentiel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive internal pressure | Maximum deviation Shear force 30 DN | 1.2 PFA+5bar | To prove the joint’s capacity to withstand the hydraulic pressure | EN 545 |
| Negative internal pressure | Maximum deviation Shear force 30 DN | -0.9 bar | To prove that the joint is airtight | EN 545 |
| Cyclic internal pressure | Shear force 30 DN | 24000 cycles PMA-5 ->PMA | To prove the joint’s fatigue performance | EN 545 |
| Positive external pressure | Maximum deviation Shear force 30 DN | 2 bar | To prove that the joint is resistant to groundwater | EN 545 |
| Positive internal pressure | Maximum deviation Shear force 30 DN | Set up using seal bush at 1.5 PFA+5 bar | To prove joint performance at all pressure levels | PAM |
| Ageing | Water at 80°C | 3 months of cycles PMA-5 ->PMA | To prove the joint’s ageing performance PAM | PAM |
| Fine sand infestation | Fine sand heavily compacted around the joint prior to pressurizing | First three EN 545 tests | To prove the resistance to sand entering the joint | PAM |
| Silt infestation | Compaction of silt around the joint prior to pressurizing | First three EN 545 tests | To prove the resistance to mud and silt under the gasket | PAM |
