The Impact of Soil Embedment and Trench Widths on Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe

摘要

The performance of corrugated profile wall polyethylene (HDPE) pipe has been determined for the idealistic embedment conditions. These conditions, however, seldom exist with the level of consistency desired so large safety factors are incorporated into the analysis. The two factors, which have a significant impact on the performance of pipe, are the embedment material with its relative compaction and the trench width. A great deal of information has been presented on both of these subjects, but not necessarily from a point of determining the optimal construction requirements for the material properties of corrugated profile wall polyethylene pipe. This paper will examine the current state of specifications for corrugated profile wall polyethylene pipe and demonstrate through analysis that the optimal design and construction requirements rely on a trade-off between the two. The trench width becomes an overwhelming governing factor when the load can be effectively transferred to the insitu-soil through arching. The associated safety factors incorporated in the design methodologies will be presented to illustrate the high level of conservatism that currently exists in these designs. The benefits and deficiencies of all the options will be examined with the intent of identifying the best optimal cost-effective installations for annular corrugated profile wall polyethylene pipe for various conditions.