Analytical Modeling of Field Axial Pullout Tests Performed on Buried Extensible Pipes

The performance evaluation of buried extensible plastic pipelines, such as polyethylene pipes in the gas distribution industry, in areas prone to ground movement is a key consideration for many utility owners. Considering the relatively smaller deformation stiffness and nonlinear stress-strain response of these pipes compared to steel pipes, understanding the basic soil-pipe interaction mechanisms forms a critical part in these evaluations. The increase in soil normal stress on the pipe due to soil dilation and gradual degradation of interface friction with axial pipe displacement were investigated. An analytical method was developed to estimate the pipe response when subject to axial frictional loads arising from soil movements, which accounts for the above factors and the nonlinear stress—strain response of pipe material. For a known relative axial soil displacement, the approach provides a convenient way to determine the axial force, strain, and length along which the friction is mobilized. The proposed analytical solution was used to model response of five large-scale field pipe pullout tests. It is shown that the analytical solution is capable of effectively forming a framework to inter-relate pipe displacement, pullout resistance, strain and the mobilized length. The findings also highlight the significance and need to account for soil dilation effects in describing the pipe-soil interaction in extensible plastic pipes.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000388
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/15323641
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Authors:
  • Wijewickreme, Dharma M
  • Weerasekara, Lalinda
• Publication Date: 2015-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Geomechanics
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1532-3641
  • EISSN: 1943-5622
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/ijgnai

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axial loads; Deformation; Dislocation (Geology); Pipelines; Plastic pipe; Seismicity; Soil structure interaction
• Uncontrolled Terms: Pullout tests
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Pipelines; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01514964
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Feb 21 2014 3:16PM