Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Project Feature: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities (CMU) has an on-going program to rehabilitate or replace aging sewers within their system and has enlisted the services of USI to produce plans for several sewer replacement projects. Replacement of these sewer lines reduces overflows at manholes, reduces storm water infiltration and inflow into the sanitary sewer system, and reduces maintenance costs of upkeep for both force mains and gravity lines.

Selected sanitary sewer lines are investigated by CMU using a closed circuit television camera that indicates root infiltration, grease buildup, joint separation, and other maintenance needs. Many of these sewer lines are rehabilitated using trenchless methods of construction, but some lines must be repaired or replaced using open-cut construction. USI receives proposed open-cut projects from CMU and provides survey, design, specifications, and permits as needed. Projects have ranged in size from the recent gravity sewer replacement project completed for the McAlpine Creek North Branch Outfall sewer replacement (2,300 linear feet of 15” diameter pipe upgraded to 18” pipe), to smaller, one-segment sewer replacements at Leroy Street, Clement Avenue, and Denver Street/Alleghany Avenue.

Recent projects have also included the proposed replacement of the Washam Street force main located within the Town of Cornelius. Numerous breaks along the 2,500 linear feet cast iron main required replacement with new ductile iron pipe within the street right-of-way and off street right-of-way at the pump station. 

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Engineering and Architectural Advancements Utilizing Solar Energy

Earth’s population is burning through fossil fuels faster than the earth can replenish them. Therefore, new strategies are needed to harness renewable energy.  Solar is one of the leading renewable sources of energy.  The Sun produces more energy in one hour than the world can use in one year1.  “The amount of solar energy reaching the surface of the planet is so vast that in one year it is about twice as much as will ever be obtained from all of the Earth's non-renewable resources of coal, oil, natural gas, and mined uranium combined2”.

Admittedly, these new technologies do have drawbacks.  They are new and untested for long term use.  Furthermore, they can be very expensive to implement and maintain.  Despite these challenges, it is exciting to see such groundbreaking technologies taking place.

As an engineering firm, specializing in municipal design (roadways, sidewalks, greenways, and bike paths), USI looks forward to the future potential applications of solar technology.  A few of these groundbreaking technologies are listed below:


Solar Bike Paths: http://bit.ly/1ERTOgy

Solar Powered Roads: http://bit.ly/1yEu3L6

Fully Transparent Solar Cell: http://bit.ly/1nDyiT8

References