Steel Tube and its Applications

                 Steel tube, a term that is often interchanged with steel pipe, has been used throughout the past thousands of years for a wide array of applications. This versatile product is one of the most often manufactured and distrusted steel products by companies in the steel industry. Steel pipe is made to be strong and durable, yet it is lightweight and customizable to different applications making it the perfect product throughout several industries. 

                 Depending on the intended purpose, Steel Tubes can be manufactured in various lengths and thicknesses. It also can be made in to different shapes other than round, which include rectangular, triangular or square. The flexibility and functionality of steel pipe can be found in several different places. One of the most common applications is using the product to transport both water and gas throughout neighborhoods, towns, and cities using an underground system. The strength of steel tubes makes it possible for it to withstand the conditions of being buried.

                 Another common application is its use in the construction industry for a number of different things. Steel tubes are used to create the foundation of buildings, balconies or staircase railings, and to protect various electrical wires. Steel tube piles are also often used during construction – a method to strengthen a foundation that is unstable or may be supporting a heavy load.Some other places steel tubes can be found are in bicycle frames, refrigeration units, all types of automobiles, furniture parts and in systems used for both heating and plumbing. It is such a popular product when it comes to the transportation of water because the product does not contaminate the water, and because of its ability to handle intense pressure. 

                 Millions of tons of steel pipe are produced each year to reach the wide demand for steel tube products. While steel tube is made through several different processes, the overall manufacturing process for each steel pipe production method include three similar steps. The raw steel, which is primarily made of iron, must first be made into a more workable form – molten steel. Then, it is poured into molds that form the pipe before it is cut to a specified length to fit customers’ need.Steel pipes also go through testing after they are created to make sure the meet the manufacturer’s standards.Other methods and measures may be implemented after to meet the client’s specified requirements.

                 Due to steel tube’s resistance to corrosive elements and its ability to withstand high heat and high pressure, it remains to be a popular choice for countless purposes and one of the highest in-demand products for companies that manufacture steel products. Its versatility extends from its common functions in the home and the transportation and construction industry, to not as known uses including earth retaining walls and bridges.  The ability to customize steel pipes and the control that it gives people using the product is a highly-appreciated and attractive feature.

Are Steel Tubes Contributing to Tainted Water in Shale-Gas Areas?

Recent studies have emerged placing blame on steel tubes and bad cement for tainted drinking water in shale-gas areas.  Hydraulic fracturing was previously suggested to be the cause for water contamination in areas where natural gas is produced.  A new analysis published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has confirmed what many have believed as of late.  The analysis proclaims, “there is no evidence that fractured shale led to water contamination” near several natural gas drill sites in Pennsylvania and Texas.   Fault lies with, for the time being, improperly built wells which lead to gas leaking up the wells into aquifers.

            The first step in the extraction of natural gas is carried out by gas producers who drill a deep vertical well which extends horizontally in several different directions.  Picture these expansion shafts as spokes protruding from a center hub.  A combination of steel pipe and cement are then used to line and seal the outside of the vertical wells.  What happens next is referred to as hydraulic fracturing or fracking.  Fracking involves injecting water and chemicals at high pressures into the “spokes”, creating fissures and releasing the natural gas trapped within the shale.  Why hydraulic fracturing was initially thought to cause gas to migrate into drinking water aquifers is a plausible explanation.  However, researchers concluded that fissures created by fracking are not long enough to affect aquifers. 

Thus, attention was focused on the next possible cause, gas leaking out of the steel lined and cement sealed vertical well.  Unfortunately, well integrity is a widespread problem in the oil and gas industry.  Scott Anderson, who deals with energy production issues for the Environmental Defense Fund, revealed that “15% of all cement sealing of wells may be imperfect”.  Mr. Anderson believes that improvements in well integrity could eliminate environmental problems caused by gas leaks.  He even offers suggestions that gas producers could us in taking steps towards eliminating leaks.  For example, ensure the proper cement and steel tubing is used as well as monitor pressures during well construction and while gas is flowing. 

Could imperfect wells be related to smaller companies with a lack of drilling experience in some shale-gas areas?  There are statistics that show a correlation between larger companies drilling better wells.  Although, according to Scott Anderson, this may not necessarily be true.  “Some of the best wells, from a technical standpoint, are drilled by the smallest operations.”

Now that the cause of the issue at hand has been determined, will the government implement changes to the process of natural gas production?  What steps will gas companies implement in order to prevent leaks from occurring in the future?  Hopefully imperfect wells are not the result of pure negligence by gas companies and there really are improvements that can be made towards improving well integrity.

First of its Kind: Steel Sheet Piling Contributing to a Hydrostatic Barrier

The first hydrostatic barrier, consisting of a deep soil mix and steel sheet piling, lies beneath and around the 9.1 acres along South Miami Avenue, between 6th and 8th Street. This barrier allows for the planned excavation for construction of 2 levels of underground parking beneath the future Brickell City Center. Transforming the center of Miami's financial district will be 5.4 million square feet of office, residential, hotel, retail, and entertainment space.

To properly begin construction, developers had to insure a dry excavation. Due to a high groundwater table and the porous nature of this region a specifically engineered solution for this $1 billion project was developed. In July 2012, the beginning stages of the hydrostatic barrier were started. Once completed, the barrier would be applied to more than 3 city blocks before construction of the 2-level underground parking garage could begin. The massive underground parking garage, which spans over 7 acres underneath the total 9.1 acre property, was completed in February of 2014.

Above the parking garage will not only sit the shopping center, office space, hotel and apartments, but a 131,000+ square foot wellness center, over 800 condominiums and 2,400 parking spaces. To support architecture on such a grand scale, 100,000 tons of bulk cement was used to create deep soil mix plugs. These plugs would hold the sheet piles, preventing water from flowing up alongside the sheet piling during extensive excavation. After these plugs were set, cast piles for the future structure were installed to depths in excess of 100 feet. 

In order to accommodate the new building footprint, relocation of existing utilities had to take place. Some existing utilities had to be rerouted while others had to be taken out of service completely. The amount of coordination involved to complete this project was tremendous.  When dealing with contractors, subcontractors, consultants, project managers and so forth; decisions had to be made in hours and days, not weeks. It all just goes to show how an accelerated schedule can have effects on the need to get certain jobs completed by a set deadline.

This transformation of downtown is being done in 2 phases. The first phase is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2015. With such an aggressive timetable in place, crews have had to remain focused to keep on pace. Phase 2 is expected to initiate sometime in 2018. Upon completion, an engineering milestone will be responsible for the vast architecture genius that has taken place in downtown Miami.