Abstract

Seismic damage to buried pipelines is mainly caused by permanent ground displacements, typically concentrated in the vicinity of the fault line in the soil. In particular, a pipeline crossing the fault plane is subjected to significant bending, shear, and axial forces. While researchers have explored the behavior of segmented metallic pipelines under permanent ground displacement, comparatively less experimental work has been conducted on the performance of segmented concrete pipelines. In this study, a large-scale test is conducted on a segmented concrete pipeline using the unique capabilities of the NEES Lifeline Experimental and Testing Facilities at Cornell University. A total of 13 partial-scale concrete pressure pipes (19 cm diameter and 86 cm long) are assembled into a continuous pipeline and buried in a loose granular soil. Permanent ground displacement that places the segmented concrete pipeline in compression is simulated through the translation of half of the soil test basin. A dense array of sensors including linear variable differential transducers, strain gauges, and load cells are installed along the length of the pipeline to measure its response to ground displacement. Response data collected from the pipe suggests that significant damage localization occurs at the ends of the segment crossing the fault plane, resulting in rapid catastrophic failure of the pipeline.

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