Industrial Press Handbook of PVC Pipe Design and Construction: (First Industrial Press Edition)

Why I reached for this book

I picked up this PVC handbook during a transition from specifying mostly ductile iron to taking on more water and sewer projects where PVC dominated. I needed a reference that could bridge material theory with everyday decisions: selecting the right DR, checking ring deflection for bury conditions, accounting for surge, and writing installation notes contractors would actually follow. This handbook delivered a good balance of fundamentals, examples, and field-tested guidance without burying me in abstractions.

What’s inside and how it’s organized

This is a substantial fifth edition (published in 2012), roughly 600 pages, and it reads like a true practitioner’s reference. The structure moves logically from material properties and manufacturing to jointing, then into design topics: internal pressure, cyclic loading, external loads and deflection, buckling under vacuum, and special considerations like fittings, appurtenances, and testing. Each major topic includes worked examples, tables, and procedural steps.

What struck me first is the clarity of the math. The book relies on high-school level algebra and unit consistency rather than advanced calculus. Equations are introduced with the “why” as much as the “how,” and the examples are step-by-step, annotated, and tied to actual decision points (e.g., “Does this burial condition require a higher stiffness class or improved backfill?”). It’s approachable enough for junior engineers and inspectors, but still useful for senior designers who need quick checks and authoritative references.

The visual style leans on line drawings, charts, and tabular data. It’s not glossy or image-heavy, and that’s fine; the figures are clean and functional. The index is solid, and the chapter cross-references made it easy to bounce between, say, surge calculations in the pressure chapter and guidance on thrust restraint in the fittings chapter.

Design guidance that holds up

• Pressure design: The handbook covers pressure class selection, allowable stresses, and the interplay between sustained pressure, occasional surge, and cyclic fatigue. The examples for transients are especially practical: they show how choices in velocity, valve closure times, and air release strategy affect surge magnitude, not just in theory but with numbers you can adjust for your own system. I used the approach to compare two pipeline alignments and confidently justify a higher DR with improved surge control rather than defaulting to a thicker wall.

• Structural design under soil and live loads: For buried pipe, the text provides a clear path to estimating deflection, evaluating soil modulus, and selecting embedment and compaction to achieve a target performance. The “knobs” you can turn—trench width, bedding quality, backfill type, and compaction—are made explicit. I appreciate that the book treats flexible pipe as a pipe-soil system, not just a product, and it gives realistic expectations for deflection limits and monitoring.

• Buckling and vacuum: Negative pressure and submergence get their own treatment. This section helped me vet a long forcemain with siphon segments by walking through buckling resistance and the role of DR, depth, and groundwater.

• Temperature and expansion: The guidance on thermal movement and anchoring is concise and actionable. It differentiates between restrained and unrestrained runs, addresses practical expansion allowances, and connects to fitting and joint selection.

Installation and jointing

The practical installation guidance is one of the reasons I keep the book within reach. It covers gasketed push-on joints, solvent-welded joints, and mechanical couplings with enough detail to write project specs and preconstruction checklists. The sections on:

• Gasketed joints: Insertion depth, proper lubrication, cleanliness, and alignment are emphasized, along with field tips to avoid mis-seated gaskets and over-belling. The troubleshooting notes on leaks at pressure test due to joint preparation are on point.

• Solvent cement: Cure times, temperature impacts, and workmanship matter. The handbook’s timelines and warnings against over-application helped me refine inspection checklists for smaller diameter process lines.

• Thrust restraint: You get both thrust block sizing logic and restrained joint approaches, with notes on when each is more appropriate. This content helped me justify the switch to restrained joint segments near tees and bends where excavation for large blocks was constrained.

• Trench and backfill: There’s substantial, grounded detail on trench width, bedding thickness, initial and final backfill, and compaction goals. The tables make it easy to pair a target deflection with practical soil and compaction choices.

Standards and compliance

The standards alignment is one of the strengths of the handbook. It references commonly used standards for PVC pipe and joints (e.g., water and sewer applications), and folds them into the design procedures rather than listing them in isolation. Because this edition dates to 2012, I make it a habit to confirm that referenced standards are still current—PVC standards evolve, and local jurisdictions may mandate newer revisions. That said, the engineering principles and most procedures have aged well, and the standards context remains a helpful guidepost rather than a constraint.

How it performs in real workflows

• Sizing and DR selection: I used the example-driven pressure design method to right-size distribution mains without defaulting to overly conservative DRs. The book helped me check sustained and surge limits in a repeatable way and clearly document the basis for reviewers.

• Surge mitigation: The transient examples were directly translatable to concept-level decisions: limit pump startup rates, specify slow-closing valves where needed, and position air valves strategically. Even without a full transient model, the handbook’s approach supports defensible early-stage decisions.

• Burial checks and constructability: On a roadway crossing with low cover, I leaned on the external load and deflection sections to evaluate the effect of alternate backfill and compaction. The tables and examples allowed a quick sensitivity check that saved a redesign.

• Spec writing and field support: The installation sections informed pre-construction meetings and inspection checklists. Having the joint preparation and testing procedures summarized in one place minimized ambiguity in the field.

What I wanted more of

• Updates since 2012: While the core content is solid, some references to standards and product ranges feel dated. I would have appreciated a short addendum or comparative table highlighting changes in common standards and product lines since publication.

• Trenchless methods: There’s some coverage of installation considerations, but I’d like deeper discussion on directional drilling, pipe bursting, and condition assessment/rehab where PVC is involved. Those methods are now commonplace in many municipalities.

• Case studies: The examples are functional and clear, but a couple of end-to-end case studies (from basis-of-design through commissioning) would help newer engineers see how the pieces fit across disciplines.

None of these gaps are dealbreakers, but they’re notable if your work leans heavily on trenchless delivery or you must harmonize with the very latest standard revisions.

Who will benefit

• Design engineers and EITs who need a single-volume reference to pressure, structural, and installation decisions for PVC.
• Inspectors and resident engineers looking for clear acceptance criteria and testing procedures.
• Contractors and field supervisors who want a consistent interpretation of bedding, jointing, and testing requirements.
• Utility engineers and spec writers who need defensible, standards-aware guidance that can be cited in design reports and precon documents.

If you’re entirely new to PVC, the approachable math and structured examples make the learning curve manageable. If you’re experienced, the value is in the consolidated tables, procedures, and the way the book connects design intent to field practice.

Recommendation

I recommend this PVC handbook. It pairs accessible explanations with practical design and installation guidance, and it does so across the full lifecycle: selection, design checks, installation, and testing. Despite its 2012 publication date, the engineering fundamentals and procedures are still directly applicable, and the examples are easy to adapt to real projects. I suggest verifying standards citations against current editions and supplementing with trenchless-focused resources if that’s central to your work. For most water, sewer, and industrial PVC applications, though, this remains a dependable, day-to-day reference that earns its spot on the desk.