ASCE Meeting Attendees Tour HOBAS Plant

The Texas section chapter of ASCE held its 2009 Fall Meeting in The Woodlands, a suburb of Houston, location of the HOBAS Pipe USA factory. Members were invited for a tour of the plant. This allowed clients the opportunity to expand their knowledge and learn first-hand how centrifugally cast, fiberglass reinforced, polymer mortar (CCFRPM) pipe is manufactured and used.

Many engineers and owners of the ASCE Texas section chapter were on this tour. It involved an educational classroom session conducted by HOBAS’ Rick Turkopp, P.E., vice president-engineering, a production tour, quality control testing and discussion. The two-hour tour provided education about the product’s use and application and can be practically applied to serve the ever-growing problems faced with the rehabilitation of ageing sanitary sewer systems and the construction of new ones.

Particular emphasis was placed on raw materials, pipe manufacturing, fittings, manholes and structures, as well as ASTM testing of pipe and joints.

Upon completion of the seminar and plant tour, participants were awarded certificates attesting to their “Professional Development Hours” that some may find sufficient for their continuing education requirements.