In 2018, the Kirkland Methil Bridge on the River Leven was scheduled for repair. The retrofit aimed to replace and install new bridge piping and 190 meters of an overland pipe which were at the end of their lifespan. This project also included the replacement of sewage pipelines that ran along two bridge crossings.

The contractor, Morrison Construction, faced several challenges on this project including a tight installation schedule, differential settlement issues, and joint end load and shear requirements for the two bridge pipe spans. All work had to be completed with a minimal negative impact on traffic flow over the bridge crossings. Victaulic recommended the Advanced Groove System (AGS) Vic-Rings to join the large diameter, abrasive slurry lines in a fast and easy way. The Victaulic system provided reliable solutions for the dynamic movement due to settlement and the strength requirements for the bridge spans.

A ring with a patented AGS groove profile is mounted on the outside of the pipe and the AGS coupling completes the joint. Since the contractor also had concerns about pipe ovality, 60” Victaulic Advanced Groove System (AGS) Style W77 Flexible Couplings and AGS Vic-Rings were chosen to join the 56” pipe. The AGS Vic-Ring system maintained full pipe wall thickness while providing a smooth inner flow path to maximize pipe life.  Installing the AGS Vic-Ring system is 50% faster than welded systems and provides a union at every joint for maintenance or future expansions, making it the ideal choice for Morrison Construction. Utilizing the Victaulic systems eliminated the need for any post-welding secondary coating and lining operations and non-destructive testing of the joints.

Employing Victaulic products resulted in a minimum impact on the traffic because of the speedy, flame-free, and reliable installation of a large diameter piping system.