Pipeline-Soil Interaction Simulation under Live Loads Using Elastoplastic Finite Element Models with Laboratory Validation

摘要

This paper presents the results regarding an experimental and numerical study about a buried PVC pipe and its interaction with the surrounding soil. The interaction between a buried pipe and the composite soil has been simulated by using elastoplastic finite element models to determine the levels of deformation in the pipe and settlement in the soil. A series of loading configuration tests were conducted, using a prototype trench, in which a flexible pipeline was buried in composite soil layers of known properties. The resulting data from these tests were used to validate output mathematical models using a Mohr Coulomb Plasticity model in one case, and a Dragger Prager model in the second to simulate the stress-strain behaviours of a composite soil and a buried PVC pipe. The pipe-soil interactions were found to be influenced by the pattern of soil and bedding layers, thereby establishing that the properties of the soil play a significant role in determining levels of deformation and displacement of a sewer pipe cross-section. The use of ABAQUS, a finite elements package, and selection of the appropriate model to simulate soil elastoplastic behaviour, has confirmed the importance, significance and sensitivity of the soil material properties on the numerical simulation accuracy when compared with experimental data.