COMPARISON OF GERMAN TO MARSTON DESIGN METHODS

In the United States and several other countries around the world, the Marston load theory is commonly used in computing the trench backfill loads on rigid pipes. Germany is using an alternative method developed by Abwassertechnischen Vereinigung e.V. (ATV) as the working design method for rigid and flexible pipe. This paper presents the German design method and a comparison of the two theories as they are applied to buried vitrified clay pipe design. The load ratio shows that the Marston theory is conservative for small pipes backfilled with well-compacted granular material because it neglects the load relieving effect of the side fill and underestimates the friction between backfill soil and trench walls. The German design method is relatively simpler and could result in savings for vitrified clay pipe manufacture and design and for installation. The effects of the trench geometry, soil characteristics, the pipe diameter, and the stiffness ratio of bedding and backfill soils on the trench loads are studied in detail for both German and Marston methods of design. Results show that the load ratio depends significantly on the ratio of trench width to pipe diameter. This paper would be of great interest to engineers in pipeline practice in their attempts to evaluate design techniques used in other technologically competitive countries.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/8674831
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Jeyapalan, J K
  • Hamida, H B
• Publication Date: 1988-7

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 420-434
• Serial:
  • Journal of Transportation Engineering
  • Volume: 114
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-947X
  • Serial URL: https://ascelibrary.org/journal/jtepbs

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Backfilling; Bedding; Design load; Design methods; Pipe; Properties of materials; Rigid structures; Soils; Stiffness; Trench backfill; Underground structures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rigid pipes; Soil properties
• Old TRIS Terms: Backfills
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I25: Design of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00469533
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Civil Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE Paper 222575
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1988 12:00AM