Buried pipeline subjected to static pipe bursting underneath: a closed-form analytical solution

Abstract

The present study proposes a closed-form analytical solution for investigating the behaviour of buried adjacent pipeline subjected to ground heave induced from static pipe bursting underneath. The governing differential equation of the adjacent pipe is derived based on the concept of a beam (both Euler–Bernoulli's and Timoshenko's beam) resting on a Pasternak foundation. A Fourier series is used to solve the governing differential equation. The proposed solution is validated with the results obtained from earlier full-scale experimental works and finite-element-based numerical study. Further, a parametric study is conducted to investigate the influence of relative pipe–soil stiffness and pipe–pipe intersection angles on the adjacent pipe response during the pipe bursting process. It is perceived that normalised maximum pipe deformation reduces and normalised maximum pipe bending moment increases as the value of the relative pipe–soil stiffness increases. Further, for the present case, the maximum pipe curvature is obtained at a 35° intersection angle. Hence, it is understood that a 90° intersection angle is not always the critical criterion. The study will be useful in the preliminary design stage for obtaining quick and relevant results without performing rigorous numerical or experimental study.