Numerical Simulation of Buried Pipeline under Axial Soil Displacement

Buried pipelines frequently cross active soil deforming areas and due to this ground changes, the pipelines are often subjected to additional loads. A significant factor for evaluating the integrity of pipelines is essential since the impact of field loads is important in considering the performance of buried pipelines. Though experimental and analytical studies were carried out to understand the actual loads on the pipelines induced by the ground movement, design practices for assessing ground moving pipes are still not well developed. This report presents the numerical studies that was conducted by designing buried pipeline which investigates the stress and strain acting on the pipelines that are subjected to axial ground movements. The research was done by utilizing finite elements modelling to determine the effects of the stress and strain acting on the High-Density Polyethylene Pipe (HDPE) pipe that undergone axial displacement.