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Compressive-Testing PVC
Compressive-Testing PVC
Silliman University
Testing the compressive strength of the different brands of the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Submitted to:
Silliman University
Submitted by:
Phillip Ruales
BSME – IV
Primarily we would like to thank God for being able to complete this project with
success. For always being with us, guiding us with his grace, showing his love to us every day,
We would also like to thank our instructor Engr. Louie Pierre O. Equio for motivating us
throughout the making of this project. His insights and expertise were incredibly valuable, and
We appreciate the effort you put into answering all of our questions thoroughly.
We would also like to thank Sir Roger A. Alcancia who have helped us in using the
ASTM machine inside CBB1at Silliman University by accommodating us despite of the holiday.
We would also like to thank Engr. Rufwin A. Pabu-aya who have helped us in giving
We also like to thank our parents who have supported the project morally and financially.
ABSTRACT
This study aims to identify which of the following brands: Condu-tech, Emerald, Lamtex,
Moldex, and Unidex has the highest compressive strength as well as the lowest compressive
strength by following the ASTM D2412 testing standard. The researchers would also identify the
highest load and the lowest load among the five different brands of Pvc pipe. Additionally, the
proponents will also determine the pipe stiffness, stiffness factor, and percentage pipe deflection
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page………………………………………………………………………………………..0
Acknowledgment………………………………………………………………………………..1
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………….1
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………..2
Chapter I Introduction…………………………………………………………………………...5
1.3 Hypothesis…………………………………………………………………………...6
2
Chapter III Methodology……………………………………………………………………......15
4.1 Results…………………………………………………………………………….…19
5.1 Summary…………………………………………………………………….………23
5.2 Conclusions…………………………………………………………………….……23
5.3 Recommendations………………………………………………….………………..24
APPENDIX A……………………………………………………………………...……………25
APPENDIX B……………………………………………………………………...……………26
BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………...…………………………………………………......27
LIST OF FIGURES
3
Figure 3.7 Grinder ,Measuring tape, Marker……………………………………….…….……17
Figure 5. 4: Condu-Tech……………………………………………………………………….25
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Trials and Average load of the five brands of PVC pipes……………….……………19
Table 4. Percentage Pipe Deflection of the five brands of PVC pipes, deflection/ inside
diameter…………………………………………………………………………………..……21
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
applications due to its desirable properties, such as high chemical resistance, durability, and low
cost. In addition, PVC’s are long lasting construction material, which can be utilized in a variety
of applications, either rigid or flexible, white or black and a wide range of colors in between.
Due to its very nature, PVC is widely used in many industries and provides many popular and
necessary products.
ability to withstand compression or crushing forces. In the case of PVC pipes, compressive
The ASTM D2412 specifies a test method for determining the stiffness and load
deflection of plastic pipe. This test method covers the determination of load deflection
characteristics of plastic pipe under load and is positioned parallel to the ground. Testing the
strength data obtained from the testing can be analyzed to determine the mean, standard
deviation, and range of the compressive strength values. The data can also be plotted to visualize
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1.2 Statement of the study
The research proponents would like to determine the compressive strength of 5 different
brands of PVC’s using the ASTM D2412. PVC’s are widely used in the construction industry for
pipes, fittings, roofing, flooring, cable insulation and more. It will be beneficial mainly for adults
for the reason that PVC’s are frequently used in construction plans. The result of this study will
decide which type and brand of PVC is the most suitable for long lasting use.
1.3 Hypothesis
The costly PVC pipe brand will have the highest compressive strength compared to an
inexpensive PVC pipe brand. The research proponents will be able to differentiate and determine
which of the 5 different brands of a 2 inches diameter PVC pipe has the best quality using the
ASTM D2412.
1. Which of the five brands of PVC pipes has the highest compressive strength?
2. Which of the five brands of PVC pipes has the lowest compressive strength?
3. How much load can the brand with the highest compressive strength withstand?
4. How much load can the brand with the lowest compressive strength withstand?
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To be able to determine the maximum load for each of the five brands of PVC
pipes.
To be able to determine the compressive strength for each of the five brands of
PVC pipes.
To be able to determine which among the five brands of PVC pipes has the
To be able to determine which among the five different brands has the lowest
compressive strength.
The test results would aid research proponents in determining and recommending which
brand of PVC pipe is the most durable among the five brands of PVC pipes through testing their
compression property. It would also aid companies to improve their product by comparing the
performance of the five different PVC pipes brands through compressive strength testing, and for
them to look into further the mechanical properties of pipes as to why the brand with the highest
The scope of the study is only to test the compressive strength of five different brands of
PVC pipes that is available in Dumaguete City.Testing the compressive strength of a PVC pipe
allows for the material properties of the PVC to be characterized and understood, providing
valuable information on the strength and durability of the pipe.Testing the compressive strength
of a PVC pipe can help determine the suitability of the pipe for specific applications where high
compressive loads are expected.The project is limited to a testing procedure that is based on
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ASTM D2412, is a testing standard used to determine the stiffness and load deflection of plastic
pipe after being applied with a certain load. The proponents will test five different brands of
PVC pipes, each brand will have five trials of testing with a diameter of 2 inches and a length of
7 inches. There are different testing methods for measuring the compressive strength of PVC
pipes, and some methods may not provide consistent or accurate results. Therefore, it is
1. Pvc Pipes - a type of plastic used for pipes that carry water and for many other products.
7. ASTM D2412 - is a testing standard used to determine the stiffness and load deflection of
plastic pipe.
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CHAPTER II
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
A piping network refers to a system of interconnected pipes used for transporting fluids or gases
from one location to another. Piping networks are used in various industries, such as construction,
manufacturing, and agriculture, and can be found in buildings, factories, and pipelines. Piping networks
can be made from a variety of materials, including PVC, metal, concrete, and fiberglass. The choice of
material depends on factors such as the type of fluid or gas being transported, the temperature and
pressure of the system, and the environmental conditions. In addition, PVC pipes are commonly used in
piping networks due to their durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of installation. PVC pipes are
lightweight, making them easy to transport and handle, and can be joined together using various
PVC is one of the most important commercial plastics owing to its wide applications and low
cost. Regardless of its enormously technical and economic importance, PVC still possesses many
problems such as low thermal stability and brittleness (Awham and Salih, 2011). Modern technology has
produced PVC pipe, which provides dependable and long-lasting service to a range of consumers,
including contractors, engineers, operators, industries, utilities, and irrigation districts. Because of their
various performance benefits, PVC pipes have largely replaced many conventional materials.
As stated by Smith (2016), the advantages of using PVC pipes is that they are lightweight, rust
resistant, tough, resistant to chemical attack, and they come in different sizes. It is also easy to ship, easily
adapts to the earth’s movement, and it has a good elastic property. However, there are also disadvantages
of PVC pipes which are that these plastic pipes cannot be installed in high temperature due to their non-
decomposing property. At higher temperatures, the strength of plastic pipes reduces, and it easily cracks.
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The properties of PVC make it suitable in tough long-life applications. For instance, PVC
products used in some construction applications should have an expected “service-life” of minimum 50
years. As stated by Ahmad, W. A. (2018), PVC pipes may reach a ”service-life” of 100 years in 75% of
all cases, provided there is no mechanical damage. PVC products are long-life products consuming
relatively low amounts of energy in the course of the production and comparing favorably with most
alternative products or solutions when analyzed in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). In addition, PVC
PVC pipe is subjected to a wide range of strict standards, control tests, and independent
certifications that guarantee its performance and quality. Numerous standards agencies govern PVC pipe
manufacturing. The most widely recognized of these for water and sewer applications are the American
Waterworks Association (AWWA), the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) , respectively (Hollands, n.d.). ASTM standards are developed by
committees made up of experts from various industries and are designed to promote safety, quality, and
reliability. The standards cover a wide range of topics, including materials properties, construction
methods, environmental testing, and product performance. In addition, ASTM standards are used by a
variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare. They provide a
common language and framework for organizations to communicate about materials, products, and
processes.
It can be seen that PVC has two different behaviors, depending on the amount of strain induced in
the material. The first is elastic (elastic region in the stress-strain curve) in which the stress is proportional
to the strain, then, if the load is removed in this state, the specimen will return back to its original shape,
but the other behavior is plastic and the deformation that occurs is called plastic deformation . It is
recognized that the fashion of failure of a PVC material is buckling failure mode which always happen
Most plastic materials will continue to deform over time even when the loading applied to the
material is constant. This time-dependent deformation is called creep.When a pipe liner is exposed to
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external pressure, the compressive hoop stress that is induced may lead to buckling of the pipe wall. For
constrained tubes such as a pipe liner,collapse is typically manifested as large inward radial deflections at
It is an important property of PVC pipes as it directly affects the pipes' ability to withstand
external loads without excessive deflection. It is a measure of the pipe's strength and rigidity, and
it is one of the critical factors to consider when selecting PVC pipes for a particular application.
PS = ( E * T / D)
Where:
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2.2.2 Stiffness Factor
It is used to indicate the pipe's ability to withstand external loads, such as soil and traffic loads,
without excessive deflection. A pipe with a higher stiffness factor will deflect less under a given
Where:
PVC pipes are commonly used in a variety of applications, including drainage, sewerage,
irrigation, and water supply. During installation, these pipes can be subjected to various types of
loads, such as soil and traffic loads, which can cause deflection or bending of the pipe.By
calculating the pipe deflection percentage, we can determine whether a given PVC pipe is
Where:
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2.3 Conceptual Framework
Figure 1 shows the step-by-step process of the researchers when conducting the project.
The proponent's first step in making a study is to do research. Researching on a specific topic to
document critical information. The next step would be planning and it is essential to arrange the
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flow of the study. The next step is to gather the materials needed for the study. After gathering
the materials, the researchers will prepare for the next step which is the testing setup. By using a
Universal Tensile Machine by an ASTM D2412 testing standard, the researchers will need to
prepare the pvc pipes with a certain length. For the researcher's case, it is a pvc pipe with a 2
inches diameter having 7 inches in length as the specimen for the trial. The next step would be
the testing procedure which the researchers would conduct through 5 trials with 5 different
brands namely Condu-Tech, Emerald, Lamtex, Moldex and Unidex . After testing the material,
the researchers would gather data and analize the data which would then give results to the study.
Last step will be the conclusion, a summation of rational statement based on the results that has
been presented.
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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
Grinder or Hacksaw
Pencil or Marker
o Condu-Tech
o Emerald
o Lamtex
o Moldex
o Unidex
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Figure 3.2 Unidex PVC Figure 3.3 Condu-Tech PVC
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Figure 3.6 Emerald PVC Figure 3.7 Grinder, Measuring tape, Marker
Equipment
ASTM D2412
It is a standard test method used to determine the external loading strength of a plastic
pipe by analyzing its response to an applied constant deflection. In addition, it's a way to test
how much weight a plastic pipe can hold before it starts to bend or break. This test method is
important for the reason that it helps ensure that plastic pipes are strong enough to withstand the
external loads they may encounter in real-world applications, such as buried under roads or
buildings. By using a standardized testing method like ASTM D2412, manufacturers and
consumers can have confidence in the quality and durability of plastic pipes.
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1. Gather the Materials.
2. The PVC pipe of the 5 different brands is cut into a specimen having measurements
4. Load the specimen into the UTM properly place them in a secure manner.
5. Begin compressing the specimen and collect the data of the displacement of being
6. Be aware of line cracking, wall cracking, wall delamination, and break. Record the
7. Stop the test at break, when the load no longer increases with deflection or when the
This study tackles the ethical concerns raised by proponents in order to comply with
international norms and research procedures. The project employed no hazardous chemicals, and
environmental concerns were addressed. Waste and other pollutants are monitored and observed
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CHAPTER IV
Table 1. Trials and Average load of the five brands of PVC pipes
Table 1 shows the average maximum load capacity of the 2 x 7 inch specimens for the
five trials for each of the five different brands of PVC pipe. The brand with the highest
maximum load capacity is Moldex which was able to carry a load of 4.23 KN. Followed by
Emerald and Unidex with an average maximum load of 3.8 KN, Condu-Tech with 2.45 KN, and
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Table 2. Pipe Stiffness of the five brands of PVC pipes
Brand Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Ave. Pipe Stiffness (N/mm^2)
Table 2 shows the Pipe Stiffness of the five brands of PVC pipes of the 2 x 7 inch
specimens for the five trials for each of the five different brands of PVC pipe. The brand with
the highest pipe stiffness is Moldex which was able to have a pipe stiffness of 0.0245 N/mm2.
Followed by Emerald pipe stiffness of 0.0245 N/ mm2, Next is Unidex with a pipe stiffness of
0.0204 N/mm2, Condu-Tech with 0.0126 N/ mm2, and lastly Lamtex with 0.0031 N/mm2.
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Table 3 shows the Stiffness Factor of the five brands of PVC pipes of the 2 x 7 inch
specimens for the five trials for each of the five different brands of PVC pipe. The brand with
the highest Stiffness Factor is Moldex which was able to have a stiffness factor of 95.692 N/mm.
Followed by Emerald stiffness factor of 81.83 N/mm, Then Unidex with a Stiffness factor of
76.377 N/mm, Condu-Tech with 52.245 N/mm, and lastly Lamtex with 17.774 N/mm.
Table 4. Percentage Pipe Deflection of the five brands of PVC pipes, deflection/ inside
diameter
Table 4 shows the Percentage Pipe Deflection of the five brands of PVC pipes of the 2 x
7 inch specimens for the five trials for each of the five different brands of PVC pipe. Emerald
has the lowest percentage pipe deflection with 5.10% , followed by Condu- Tech with 9.22%,
then Moldex with 16.28 %, next is Lamtex with 27.26 %, and lastly Unidex 38.61 %
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4.2 Statistical Analysis
Condu-Tech 1 ₱ 332.00
Emerald 1 ₱ 325.00
Lamtex 1 ₱ 235.00
Moldex 1 ₱ 350.00
Unidex 1 ₱ 245.00
This table shows the total cost of materials tested needed to conduct the research.
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CHAPTER V
5.1 Summary
PVC pipes, which are made of polyvinyl chloride, have become an important component
in a wide range of applications due to their durability, versatility, and affordability. It is crucial to
ensure that PVC pipes are of good quality, durable, and able to fulfill their intended purpose
effectively. This study was conducted to identify which among of the five different brands and it
inlcudes Condu-Tech, Emerald, Lamtex, Moldex, and Unidex, is the most and least durable
when using the standard procedure testing ASTM D2412 (Plastic Pipe Deflection Testing),
where the average value of the five trials were gathered, and the resulting values were analyzed
and compared with each other. The quality of the pvc pipes is very important to ensure that it
will not break when used. From the data that was gathered, the researchers observed that among
the five brands of pvc pipes, the brand that had the highest compressive strength and did not
break during the trial was Moldex, and Emerald, followed by materials that did break which are
Unidex, and Condu-Tech in descending order. Moreover, the brand that had the lowest
5.2 Conclusion
With the data gathered, the researchers may conclude that among the five brands of the
product, PVC pipes, the most durable is Moldex, a product manufactured by MOLDEX
Products, Inc. Philippines that was able to carry a mean load of 4.23 kN and has the highest
compressive strength. Followed by Emerald and Unidex with a mean load of 3.8 kN , Condu-
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Tech with 2.45 kN. While the least durable is Lamtex, a product manufactured by Lacko Plastic
Products INC. since it was only able to carry a mean load of 0.674 kN and has the lowest
compressive strength.
5.3 Recommendations
Throughout the period of the study, the researchers suggest that Moldex be used among
the five brands of PVC pipes for residential and commercial areas, as well as other applications
and the ductwork of heating and cooling systems because it is the most durable when it comes to
its comprehensive strength. It is also recommended to test other brands of PVC pipes found
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Appendix A:
Photos of the 5 samples of the five brands of PVC pipes after testing.
Figure 5. 8: Emerald
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Appendix B:
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Figure 5. 10: UTM Figure 5. 11: Data Gathering
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Ken Research. (2018). Philippines Plastic Pipes and Fittings Market Outlook to 2022- By UPVC,
CPVC, PE, PPR and Other Plastic Pipes. Retrieved from https://www.kenresearch.com/manufacturing-
and-construction/machinery-and-parts/philippines-plastic-pipes-fittings-market/174221-97.html
Ahmad W. (2008). Compression Bending Test For PVC pipe. Retrieved from
https://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/4512/1/COMPRESSION%20BENDING%20TEST%20FOR%20PVC
%20PIPE%20(24pgs).pdf
Hollands B. (n.d.). PCV pipe: High Quality and Performance Standards. Retrieved from
https://www.uni-bell.org/Portals/0/ResourceFile/highqualitystnds.pdf
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