Applying Plaxis 3D To Model Leaking Water Supply Pipe Causing Sandy Soil Erosion and Sinkhole Formation

Abstract

Water supply pipes in urban areas are always buried underground. There are many causes of pipe breakage and leakage of high-pressure water from the pipe to the outside, the flow of water has a pressure higher than the soil erosion limit, causing the soil structure to be broken, eroding the surrounding clayey sandy soil. The development of the eroded clayey sandy soil area, which expands over time, is the cause of the formation of a sinkhole under the road, which is dangerous for vehicles and people. In this study, the authors apply finite element software (Plaxis 3D) to model water supply pipelines in sandy soil in case the pipeline leaks water with different pressures. Analytical models indicate that sinkhole formation is dependent on the extent of the erosive clayey sandy soil, which is related to the extent and direction of the pressurized water jet, and the depth of the pipe.