ELASTIC ANALYSIS OF BURIED PIPES UNDER SURFACE PATCH LOADINGS

A parametric study was undertaken to assess the behavior of buried pip es under uniformly distributed vertical patch loads applied to the sur face of a layer of soil. Predictions of the maximum circumferential an d longitudinal bending moments and hoop thrusts acting on the buried p ipes are presented in the form of nondimensionalized design charts. Fo urier transforms were used to model the three-dimensional behavior und er the patch loading, and conventional finite-element analysis was use d to approximate the field quantities in the two-dimensional transform plane. The soil has been idealized as a homogeneous Linear elastic co ntinuum, and the buried pipe has been represented by a linear elastic plate bending element capable of transmitting axial thrusts. The resul ts of the parametric study are relevant to the design of buried pipes under the action of vertical live loads applied to the surface of a so il layer.