Seismic responses of deep buried pipeline under non-uniform excitations from large scale shaking table test

Abstract

The seismic response of long deep buried pipeline under non-uniform excitation is very important for suitable seismic design. However, due to restriction by excitation devices, few model tests have been carried out. In this study, a large-scale shaking table model test for a long deep buried pipeline was carried out, where two controlled-independent tables were used to excite two model containers and the excitations for the two tables are in the three directions and non-uniform. From the model test, the strains and deformations of the pipeline and the accelerations of the soil in containers were measured and evaluated. Some results were achieved: (1) non-uniform seismic excitation has great influence on the acceleration amplification in soil and the strain and displacement of the pipeline; (2) the deep buried pipe in ground has few impact on ground surface acceleration response, but has greater impact on the acceleration response of the soil surrounding the pipe; (3) the bending stain and permanent displacement under uniform excitation are negligible, but not neglected for non-uniform excitation; (4) the model test proves that there is obvious rotation of the pipeline in addition to horizontal and vertical displacements under non-uniform excitation.