An Investigation of Structural Behavior of Underground Buried GFRP Pipe in Cooling Water Intake for the Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

GRP pipe (Glass-fiber Reinforced Plastic Pipe) lines making use of FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) are generally thinner, lighter, and stronger than the existing concrete or steel pipe lines, and it is excellent in stiffness/strength per unit weight. In this study, we present the result of field test for buried GRP pipes with large diameter(2,400mm). The vertical and horizontal ring deflections are measured for 387 days. The short-term deflection measured by the field test is compared with the result predicted by the Iowa formula. In addition, the long-term ring deflection is predicted by using the procedure suggested in ASTM D 5365(ANNEX) in the range of 40 to 60 years of service life of the pipe based on the experimental results. From the study, it was found that the long-term vertical and horizontal ring deflection up to 60 years is less than the 5% ring deflection limitation.