Saudi Review

Victaulic solution for Dokaae project

Victaulic’s Advanced Groove System installed in a pipeline

Until recently, alternative joining methods for larger size piping systems required multiple housings to achieve the same results, but new developments in technology have seen major advances in alternative joining methods, driven in particular by modern mega projects such as the Development of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment (Dokaae) in Saudi Arabia, says a regional Victaulic official.

Faced with an exceptionally large install and a very tight time frame, consultants and the contractor chose grooved products from Victaulic, the world’s leading manufacturer of mechanical pipe joining systems. Victaulic grooved mechanical piping systems were used in all areas of Dokaae including HVAC, fire protection and desalination with pipe sizes ranging from two inches up to 60 inches (50.8 to 1,525 mm) and pressure ratings of up to 17.75 bars, said Rami Mahmoud, Victaulic division manager, Middle East.

“Projects like Dokaae demanded the toughest joins capable of matching tremendous demands in terms of size, pressure, installation time and performance. The Advanced Groove System (AGS) was developed by Victaulic and designed to offer enhanced strength and reliability through a more robust coupling housing and a patented wedge-shaped roll groove that is deeper and wider, providing increased coupling-to-pipe engagement,” said Mahmoud.

This revolutionary system was first installed in 2006 – and now through continued research and development in grooved technology Victaulic has expanded the AGS size range even further. It is now available for medium- to large-diameter pipes between 14 inch (350 mm) and 60 inches (1,524 mm), and whilst it was initially developed for the Middle East market, it is now installed all across the world.

“These innovations are advantageous for multiple reasons: speed-of-installation, ease of installation and maintenance, safety, economics, ease of ownership and long-term reliability. If piping systems are down, in many situations systems are not operational, so revenue is lost. Many large-diameter piping systems are critical, so reliability of the joining method cannot be compromised,” said Mahmoud.

Large-diameter pipe joining systems have traditionally used welded and flanged pipe joints, but these methods are not ideal in all conditions. Welding presents a number of issues, among them, safety risks, expense, the need for skilled labour, and susceptibility to weather conditions, not to mention the lengthy installation process.

Welding is also a time-consuming process. Welders must cut, bevel and prepare the pipe lengths, align and clamp the joint, then undertake two to three passes using the selected welding method at each joint. On a large-diameter system, this process can take hours for each joint.

“Mechanical couplings have been proven through research, testing and field use. They have stood the test of time in some of the world’s most demanding projects such as the Hoover Dam in the US, the Burj Khalifa in the UAE and the Alexandria Library in Egypt – and now look set to achieve recognition again in a new range of regional projects and on a much larger scale,” commented Mahmoud.