ANALYSIS OF STRESSES AROUND PIPES IN UTILITY CUTS

摘要

Finite Element analysis (FEA) has been carried out in order to assess the effects of excavation and restoration of different trench backfill materials. The analysis was performed simulate a cut of 3 ft deep in a continuous trench (plain strain analysis). Figure 1 shows a schematic of the analyzed cut. The results display the deformation and strains around a PE utility pipe of 4-inch diameter buried at elevation of 3 ft under the pavement surface. An example of the results of the FEA is shown in figure 2. The results show that very small deformations mobilized due to the cut and that the reinstated section did not demonstrate permanent deformation.