Centrifuge investigation of pipeline uplift on sloping ground using a novel internal measurement technique
Centrifuge investigation of pipeline uplift on sloping ground using a novel internal measurement technique
This study presents a series of centrifuge model tests conducted in the Mark-II mini-drum centrifuge to quantify the uplift resistance of buried pipelines under both horizontal and inclined ground conditions. Three tests were performed: two at varying embedment depths in level ground and one beneath a sloping surface. A newly developed internal measurement system was incorporated into the model pipe to directly capture uplift forces, enabling comparison with conventional external measurements. Results confirm that external measurements systematically overestimate uplift resistance, while the internal system provides a more representative assessment of soilpipe interaction. Under inclined ground, the pipeline exhibited lower peak uplift resistance and noticeable lateral displacement. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) analyses indicate that reduced overburden stress, shorter shear-band development paths, and smaller vertical components of shear resistance contribute to the earlier onset of uplift on slopes compared with level ground. These findings highlight the importance of explicitly considering ground inclination and realistic measurement approaches in the design of buried pipelines crossing uneven terrain.
Zijing Liu; Stuart Haigh
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Session 2: Scaling laws and fundamentals
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-11