INTRODUCTION:

The hydraulic test on the line, or on section of it, is required in order to verify the hydraulic sealing of the
system at the testing pressure and then, indirectly, its structural integrity.
The liquid used for the hydraulic testing is generally water (γ = 1); in particular cases the liquid could be
sea water (γ = 1.025).
Before proceeding with the filling of the line, check that the same can be pressurized, i.e. complete of
vents, drains, valves and/or of blind flanges, and every fitting or accessory required by design documents.
If the line is above ground, check that the bearings have been executed correctly and that the thrusts due
to the hydraulic internal pressure are all correctly sustained.
If the line is underground, check that this is completely ballasted and that the thrusts due to the hydraulic
internal pressure are all sustained by the soil or by thrust anchoring blocks.
The joints will be visible, in order to allow the inspection, unless otherwise stated by Client or its
representative.
It is preferable to test lines, or segments of line, whose length doesn’t exceed 1000-1500 m.

TESTING PRESSURE:
The testing pressure is generally 1.5 times the design pressure in the lowest point of the section of the
line being tested.
INSTRUMENTATION:
All the equipment and the instruments that are required to perform the testing will have to be available
and connected to the GRP piping system.
Connect the metering and recording instruments to the line, possibly in the lower point (X point) of it.
Otherwise, for the evaluation of the pressure, consider the geodetic gradient of the gauge compared to
the X point and the specific weight of the fluid used for the testing (sweet water or sea water) in order to
adjust the reading of the same. The value of the pressure of testing will be:
Pp = Pm ± ΔH
where:
Pp Testing pressure
Pm monomeric pressure
ΔH geodetic gradient
γ specific weight of the water
± higher/deeper gauge compared to X point
NB: the instruments must be set before and after the test.

FILLING OF THE LINE:

 The filling of water will be performed after the cleaning of the line.
 Verify that suitable pumps are available for the filling of the line and for its pressurization.
 Verify that all the vents have been opened.
 Fill the line slowly, possibly from the lower part, in order to facilitate the escape of the air through
the vents.
  When the line is completely full, be sure that all of the vents and the valves are well closed.
Ascertain furthermore that there aren’t any leakages, by doing a visual control along the run of
the line. In case a leakage is found, empty the line if necessary and make the repair. Then fill the
line again as above.

LINE STABILIZATION:

 This phase of the testing procedure is required to allow the complete thermal and mechanical
stabilization of the pipeline.
 In this phase insert the measuring and recording tools. The pressure will have increased up to
reaching the value of the design pressure.
 The increase of pressure won’t be greater than 1 bar every 10 minutes for ND>500mm, or 1 bar
every 5 minutes for ND ≤ 500mm.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

 Once that the required pressure is achieved, maintain the pressure until its stabilization, up to a
maximum of 12 hours if no visible leakages are found. Possible pressure drops can be balanced
by switching on the pumping system
 Pressure drops are due to temperature change, entrapment of air, settlement of the soil or of
anchoring blocks, or to expansions of non rigid joints. Periodically check the vent valves if
automatic, or open them to let the air escape.
 The stabilization phase can be considered finished when pressure variations do not occur for at
least two hours, without water integration.

NON-ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:
The test will have to be considered invalid and will have to be stopped in the following cases:

 ascertained leakage
 clear deformation of the pipe’s supports and settlements in anchor blocks or in the soil, that are
not becoming stable, and that can cause damages to the pipeline;
 after 12 hours if it is not possible to maintain a steady pressure, without integration, for at least 2
hours.
 After having repaired the possible damages occurred to the piping and/or support system, submit
again the pipeline to the testing.
 If it is not possible to find out the reason of the lack of pressurization, deeper investigations are
required, for example uncovering buried parts, checking the sealing of the valves, and where it is
possible, inspecting the inside of the pipeline.

PRESSURE TESTING:

 The pressure will be increased until one achieves the value of the pressure of testing. In this
phase compile a minute of testing, reporting the values of pressure and temperature of the
beginning of the testing.
 The increase of pressure won’t be higher than 1 bar every 10 minutes for ND>500 mm and 1 bar
every 5 minutes for ND≤ 500mm.
 The line will be kept at this value of pressure for a time not lower than 2 hours.
 At the end of this period verify the values of the measurements (pressure, temperature etc.) and
transcribe these final values on the minute of testing.
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA AND CONCLUSION OF THE TEST:
The hydraulic testing will be considered positive if, at the end of the 2 hours of testing, one of the
following points is achieved:

 During the period of the hydraulic test the pressure will stay stable.
 No leakages are visible in any point of the pipeline, or in the joints or in the testing equipment.
 The change of pressure between the beginning and the end of testing is due to the change of
temperature of the testing water.
 The change of pressure between the beginning and the end of testing is due to the presence of
air in the line.
 When the joints of the line are manufactured with elastomeric gaskets and there is a decrease of
pressure, the initial pressure has to be restored by pumping an amount of water not greater than
(from the Std. AWWA M 11 – Manual of water supply practice):

Q = 0.0001⋅D ⋅ L ⋅H
where:
Q amount of water (liters)
D diameter (mm)
L length of the line (m)
H test time = 12 hours

 A combination of the above points.

FAILED TEST:

 In case of failure of the test, find the cause of the leakage, empty the line and start immediately
the repair of the line or replace the defective pieces.
 The pipeline can then be tested again according to the procedure.