The impact of voids in proximity to buried utility pipes
The impact of voids in proximity to buried utility pipes
ABSTRACT: Deterioration of the burial conditions of water distribution pipes can occur through the migration of fines or localised erosion due to leakage from the pipe. The latter can generate significant voids in the proximity of the pipe leading to a loss of support that can alter the long-term pipe capacity that can lead to structural failure. The impact of voids on the performance of small diameter buried utility pipes is examined. Centrifuge experiments to model a 315mm diameter High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) prototype pipe, with and without the presence of voids, were conducted under vertical surface loading. Voids were modelled using a low stiffness compressible material that proved sufficient to maintain the void geometry and prevented internal soil collapse. Increased mobilisation of the pipe was found to be significant when the voids exceeded 1.5 times the pipe diameter and were located below the spring-line at the invert and haunch positions.
Tawfeg Elmrom; Elisabeth Bowman; Muna Alfergani
5th European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ECPMG2024)
Geotechnical infrastructure
https://doi.org/10.53243/ECPMG2024-49
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