Pipe technology has changed over the years. Choosing the right material for conveying water and other substances depends greatly on the project. This chart looks at some of the differences between pipe materials used through the ages.
Bringing it all together
While the types of utility pipes engineers use have changed over time, one thing hasn’t. The commitment to use the right material for the right situation. Each project is different and there isn’t a one-size-fits all solution when specifying which pipe material to use.
About the expert
Greg Anderson, PE* is a civil engineer who understands choosing the right project materials is a delicate balance between cost, longevity, weight, pressure, soil type and a number of other factors.