Numerical analysis of an experimental pipe buried in swelling soil

This paper investigates the pipe–soil interaction for pipes buried in expansive soil when subjected to swelling soil movement due to increase in moisture content. A laboratory experiment has been undertaken on a plastic pipe in a large-scale pipe box. A three dimensional numerical model is developed to analyse the pipe response, using FLAC3D computer program. The pipe is assumed to behave as a linearly elastic material, while the soil is modelled as a nonlinear material with Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. The water flow and soil/pipe deformations are decoupled, where water flow is calculated using simplified capillary rise theory on the basis of measurements made. A reasonably good agreement between the experimental results and model predictions is reported.

[1]  J. Kodikara,et al.  Modelling of curling in desiccating clay , 2004 .

[2]  Antonio Gens,et al.  A framework for the behaviour of unsaturated expansive clays , 1992 .

[3]  S. Tesfamariam,et al.  Uncoupled axial, flexural, and circumferential pipe-soil interaction analyses of partially supported jointed water mains , 2004 .

[4]  Delwyn G. Fredlund,et al.  The prediction of one-, two-, and three-dimensional heave in expansive soils , 2004 .

[5]  D. Fredlund,et al.  STRESS STATE VARIABLES FOR UNSATURATED SOILS , 1977 .

[6]  V. Q. Hung.  Uncoupled and coupled solutions of volume change problems in expansive soils , 2002 .

[7]  Jean-Louis Briaud,et al.  SHRINK TEST--WATER CONTENT METHOD FOR SHRINK AND SWELL PREDICTIONS , 2003 .

[9]  Srijib Chakrabarti,et al.  LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF CAPILLARY RISE IN STABILISED PAVEMENT MATERIALS , 2003 .

[10]  W. C. Tan,et al.  Wetting, drying and compression characteristics of compacted clay , 2006 .

[11]  Bipul Hawlader,et al.  Modelling of pipeline under differential frost heave considering post-peak reduction of uplift resistance in frozen soil , 2006 .

[12]  C. Gallage,et al.  Response of a plastic pipe buried in expansive clay , 2012 .

[13]  Assaf Klar,et al.  Tunneling effects on jointed pipelines , 2008 .

[14]  P. Ranjith,et al.  ASSESSMENT OF CAPILLARY INGRESS OF WATER IN STABILISED PAVEMENT MATERIALS , 2006 .

[15]  E. A. Sorochan,et al.  Pressure exerted on stationary enclosing structures by expansive soil , 1994 .

[16]  Balvant Rajani,et al.  Forecasting Variations and Trends in Water-Main Breaks , 2002 .

[17]  Shawn Kenny,et al.  Buried Pipelines Subject to Subgouge Deformations , 2007 .

[18]  António Gomes Correia,et al.  Aspects of the behaviour of compacted clayey soils on drying and wetting paths , 2002 .

[19]  Andrea Galli,et al.  Soil-pipe interaction under monotonic and cyclic loads: experimental and numerical modelling , 2006 .

[20]  Coupled elastoplastic model of soil-pipe interaction along unstable slopes , 2004 .

[21]  HuYafei,et al.  Analysis of soil conditions and pipe behaviour at a field site , 2011 .

[22]  Ahmad Habibian,et al.  Effect of Temperature Changes on Water‐Main Breaks , 1994 .

[23]  Scott Gould,et al.  Understanding how the Australian climate can affect pipe failure , 2009 .

[24]  B Rajani,et al.  Pipesoil interaction analysis of jointed water mains , 1996 .

[25]  D. G. Fredlund,et al.  Water content - void ratio swell-shrink paths of compacted expansive soils , 2002 .

[26]  K. Soga,et al.  Soil-pipe interaction due to tunnelling: comparison between Winkler and elastic continuum solutions , 2005 .

[27]  J. Kodikara,et al.  A Simplified Analytical Model for Desiccation Cracking of Clay Layers in Laboratory Tests , 2006 .

[28]  James E. Ambrose.  Simplified Design of Building Foundations , 1981 .

[29]  Balvant Rajani,et al.  Pipe-Soil Interaction Analysis of Field Tests of Buried PVC Pipe , 1996 .

[30]  I C Goulter,et al.  ANALYSIS OF WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPE FAILURE TYPES IN WINNIPEG, CANADA , 1989 .

[31]  L. Laloui,et al.  Mec^hanisms of desiccation cracking of soil : Validation , 2007 .

[32]  Harry G. Poulos.  Piled Rafts in Swelling or Consolidating Soils , 1993 .