Water pipes of South Korea’s PPI Pyungwha Co. have passed Cornell University’s large-scale earthquake-resilience tests, which would help further expand its global presence.

Cornell University’s underground lifeline facilities testing team concluded the Korean pipe maker’s “Appiz” water pipes are capable of withstanding a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of up to 7.1, PPI Pyungwha said Thursday.

The university’s tests simulate an earthquake situation, exposing buried pipelines to high pressure. PPI Pyungwha said its Appiz water pipes endured a ground shift of up to 16.2 inches (41 centimeters) in width. Cornell University is the world’s only research center to conduct such tests.

The Korean pipe maker said Cornell University’s research team found 95 percent of its water pipes were still functional after going through various tests that resemble earthquakes with a magnitude ranging from 5.7 to 7.1. A pipeline is qualified as earthquake resilient if 95 percent or more of it remains functional.

PPI Pyungwha said it will speed up efforts to expand its footprint in the global water pipe market, especially in the western part of the U.S. or the regions in the so-called “Ring of Fire.” The Ring of Fire refers to a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

Based in Korea, PPI Pyungwha was established in 1976. It developed Appiz water pipes in 2013 after eight years of research.

By Ahn Byung-joon and Cho Jeehyun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]