Numerical Simulation Studies of Buried Pipes

Numerical Simulation Studies of Buried Pipes

In this project, numerical simulation of buried pipes, and analysis and evaluation of their seismic performance using the American Lifelines Alliance(ALA) method have been studied. Through this research, predicted large deformation of the buried pipes in thrust fault zone has been examined. The vibration analysis of the pipes under seismic loading was computed. This study can be divided into two parts. The first part involves the numerical analysis based on ABAQUS software to analyze the large deformation of buried pipes. In this, numerical simulation of the pipe-soil interaction was done. ASCE(1984) nonlinear spring model was adopted also. Numerical simulation results of buried pipes were compared with the results of experiments discussed in the NEESR-SG Report(circa 2008). Numerical and test results show very close values. The second part focuses on the ALA method that considers the internal temperature and pressure of the pipe, the vertical live load, and the static load on buried pipes. The total strain of the pipe from these forces shall not exceed their allowable strain.