FDOT Removes Rigid-Pipe Laser Profile Requirement

Rigid pipe will still need to have joints laser measured, but laser profiling of entire pipe spans will only be required for flexible pipe types such as those made of HDPE. The requirement to joint measure non-rigid pipe has also been lifted. In the past, all stormwater pipe had to be both laser profiled and laser joint measured.

“It’s a big win for many pipelayers who have had to endure the extra expense to laser profile rigid pipeline, such as Reinforced Concrete Pipe,” says Sam Walsh, project manager at GLM Site Contractors Inc. The latest spec update appears to be in response to feedback garnered during FDOT working group sessions [which ASU leadership has been a participant of] and demonstrates FDOT’s willingness to work with industry leaders to adapt to changing times and modern technologies. Experience had demonstrated that rigid pipe from reputable manufacturers was nearly always close to its ideal shape unless it was damaged during installation and that such damage was easily recognizable in routine video inspections.

Laser Profiling utilizes laser projection and specialized machine vision software that analyzes each frame of pipeline video to determine deviation from the pipeline’s ideal shape.

Laser Joint Measurement utilizes camera-mounted lasers and to digitally measure the gap between pipe joints; the technology is also used to determine the size of defects such as cracks and spalls.