Finite element analysis of buried pipelines under seismic-fault displacement

Abstract eng:
The present paper investigates the mechanical behaviour of buried steel pipelines, crossing an active tectonic fault. The fault is considered normal to the pipeline direction and moves in the horizontal direction, causing stress and deformation in the pipeline. The soilpipeline system is modelled rigorously through finite elements, which account for large strains and displacements, nonlinear material behaviour and special conditions of contact and friction on the soil-pipe interface. Considering steel pipelines of various diameter-tothickness ratios, and typical steel material for pipeline applications, the paper focuses on the effects of various soil and pipeline parameters on the structural response of the pipe, with particular emphasis on pipe wall failure due to wrinkling (local buckling) or rupture. The effects of shear soil strength, soil stiffness, horizontal fault displacement, width of the fault slip zone, are investigated. The results are aimed at determining the fault displacement that would cause pipeline failure. The numerical results from the present investigation are also presented in diagram form, which depicts the critical fault displacement and the corresponding critical strain versus the pipe diameter-to-thickness ratio, and can be used for pipeline design purposes.

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