The influence of erosion voids on the longitudinal behaviour of a jointed large-diameter reinforced concrete pipeline: Fid-Bau Portal

The influence of erosion voids on the longitudinal behaviour of a jointed large-diameter reinforced concrete pipeline

Xu, Ming / Shen, Dawei

Highlights • Geotechnical centrifuge tests were performed. • A novel technique was developed to simulate the formation of an erosion void. • Voids at different positions straddling a pipe joint were investigated. • Voids have significant influence on the longitudinal pipeline deformation. • Circumferential and longitudinal bending moments of the pipe were investigated.

Abstract Centrifuge tests were performed to investigate the influence of erosion voids on the longitudinal behaviour of a buried 1400 mm diameter reinforced concrete pipeline with gasketed bell-and-spigot joints. A novel technique was developed to simulate the formation of an erosion void straddling a pipe joint. After void formation, repeated loading was applied to the ground surface above the joint. Voids at different positions were investigated, including the haunch and invert straddling the joint, and the results are compared with the test without voids. The test results highlight the dominant influence of erosion voids on the longitudinal deformation of the jointed pipeline. The invert void straddling the joint imposes the most unfavourable condition, with significant joint rotation developing under repeated surface loading, which would eventually cause joint failure. The influence of erosion voids on the circumferential and longitudinal bending moments of the pipe barrel at different cross-sections was also investigated.