THE STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF PROFILE-WALL DRAINAGE PIPE--STIFFNESS REQUIREMENTS CONTRASTED WITH RESULTS OF LABORATORY AND FIELD TESTS

This paper describes the development of the current United Kingdom (UK) stiffness requirements for profile-wall flexible pipes and assesses their limitations. Laboratory testing of flexible pipes ranging in diameter from 100 to 375 mm is described. The results indicate that deformations and circumferential strains are small, even under severe loading, and generally fall well within the current limits specified in the appropriate U.K. standards. Creep stiffness specifications and design and installation standards are assessed in light of the collected data, and recommendations for improved criteria are propounded.