Spigot Joints Research Articles

Analysis of the Utility Tunnel Joint's Stress Characteristics Under Well Point Precipitation Conditions

The method by which groundwater influences subsurface buildings is relatively complex in the groundwater-rich regions of southern China. Notably, it substantially affects the pipe corridor junctions, which are crucial to impermeability. In order to analyze the forces on the utility tunnel joints during well-point precipitation, numerical modeling of the utility tunnel joints using the well-point precipitation method based on Finite element software was carried out, and a precipitation model tank was made to verify the model parameters and boundary restrictions. The results indicate that under well-point precipitation, the force variation of the bottom plate is more significant than that of the top plate at the same port and that in the joint section close to the precipitation point, the force variation of the bottom plate can reach 2-3 times that of the top plate. The spigot joint's bottom plate has a maximum tensile stress of 319.52 kPa, which raises the possibility of tensile damage. The well-point dewatering method has a higher likelihood of bottom plate cracks, which makes it a critical component to be watched during construction and operation.

Dynamic modelling and vibration analysis of a bolted spigot joint structure considering mating interface friction: simulation and experiment

Dynamic modelling and vibration analysis of a bolted spigot joint structure considering mating interface friction: simulation and experiment

Assessment Framework for the Maintainability of Sewer Pipeline Systems

The maintainability of sewer infrastructure systems is vital for public health, environmental protection, and the overall well-being of communities. However, maintenance and repair activities for sewer pipelines are often constrained, leading to challenges in effectively managing such infrastructures. To address these challenges, this study assessed the maintainability of sewer pipelines. A total of 15 defects were identified and categorized into structural, hydraulic, and quality defects after a comprehensive literature review was conducted and sewer pipeline experts were interviewed. Each failure caused by these defects was categorized as a pipe collapse associated with structural defects, sewer system overflow (SSO), odor, and groundwater contamination associated with quality defects. Apart from assessing the defects, the study identified potential solutions. After that, the obtained data were analyzed to determine the relative significance of each probability identified and its impact on four parameters, economic, social, environmental, and detection difficulty, using the relative importance index (RII), while the risk value index (RI) was applied to prioritize the defects. Furthermore, a data reliability assessment was utilized to evaluate internal consistency. The findings indicate that the probability of joint defects in the structural category caused by weaknesses in welded joints due to the misalignment of plastic pipes or joints, especially spigot and socket joints for rigid pipes, was the highest (RII = 0.733). Additionally, the ranking showed that the dumping of FOG had the highest priority, with an RI value of 0.535. This study offers a comprehensive maintainability framework that can be utilized by agencies assessing their current sewer infrastructure systems, in particular Arab Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, which is the subject of this study.

Failure Mechanisms of Corrugated Hdpe Pipeline with a Gasketed Bell and Spigot Joint Subjected to Underground Blasting Excavation Load

Failure Mechanisms of Corrugated Hdpe Pipeline with a Gasketed Bell and Spigot Joint Subjected to Underground Blasting Excavation Load

Structural performance of corroded concrete pipes after mortar spraying rehabilitation under traffic load

At present, the insufficient structural performance of pipelines leads to frequent road collapse accidents. More and more urban areas have adopted trenchless repair techniques to improve the structural performance of existing corroded pipelines and prolong their service life. The spray method has been widely used due to its advantages of convenient construction, environmental protection, and substantial flexibility, but it lacks a theoretical basis. This paper established a three-dimensional numerical model for concrete drainage pipelines with bell and spigot joints by Abaqus numerical analysis software based on a full-scale test, aiming to verify the feasibility of the spray repair technology and provide a theoretical basis for this method. The impact on the mechanical properties of the pipelines under different traffic loads was analyzed by comparing the establishment of an intact pipe, a corroded pipe, and a repaired pipe. The results show that the traffic load significantly impacts the section of the pipeline adjacent to its acting position. Furthermore, the higher the traffic load is, the more prominent of the influence on the vertical displacement of the pipe joint became. Stress concentration occurs in the corrosion area of the corroded pipeline subjected to the traffic load. The spray repair method could help reduce the stress concentration and improve the structural performance of the pipeline. The pipeline repair efficiency could reach to 13.45%–53.25% under various conditions. The findings of this work can provide theoretical support for the spray repair design of corroded drainage pipelines.

Influence of wall thickness on the response of gasketed bell and spigot joint in small diameter PVC pipes subjected to a combination of shear, rotation, and diameter changes

Joint performance in plastic pipelines for gravity flow applications is relevant since it influences the entire system. Various research studies have demonstrated that gasketed bell and spigot joints in plastic pipelines could be subjected to combinations of shear force, rotation, and diameter change under field conditions, requirements that are not considered by current North American standards. These demands and their magnitudes are influence by the joint configuration and the stiffness of their components. This study aims to assess the structural and leakage performance of gasketed bell and spigot joints in 315-mm polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipelines with different wall thicknesses when subjected to expected field demands under internal and external pressure. It was observed that the magnitudes of shear force that caused joint leakage could develop across PVC joints under reasonable field conditions; wall thickness influenced this demand. It was also noticed that the response of the examined joints differs significantly from other joints with similar diameters and configurations employed for similar applications.

The longitudinal response of prestressed cylinder concrete pipe with bell–spigot joints subjected to normal fault

AbstractBuried pipelines inevitably pass through complicated geological areas because of their wide coverage. A three‐dimensional numerical model subjected to normal fault considering the geometrical and mechanical properties of the bell–spigot joint in Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) is proposed to analyze the effects of location, displacement, and dip angle of fault on the rotation angle and axial translation of bell–spigot joints as well as the effects on the deformation of pipe bodies. At a dip angle of 90°, the maximum joint rotation angle and pipe deformation are larger when the relative location of fault and joints is under the odd configuration than under the even configuration. The kinematic characteristics of joints and the mechanical characteristics of pipe bodies on the moving side are opposite to those on the stationary side. The amount of offset has a significant impact on the longitudinal response of the pipeline. The rotation angle and axial translation of the joints on both sides of the fault increase with increasing fault displacement. When the offset reaches 270 mm, the joint rotation angle is 1.05°, which exceeds the specification limit of 1°. On the basis of numerical results, the simplified estimate of the maximum rotation angle is improved, and the error is reduced to 3%. With the increase of fault dip angle, the affected area gradually moves left to the fixed part. When the dip angle is 75°–90°, the pipeline longitudinal response is large, which is unfavorable to the pipeline safety.

Retracted: “Evaluation of the Structural Integrity of Bell–Spigot Joints in Steel Gas Pipelines” [ASME Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 2022, 144(2), p. 021801; DOI: 10.1115/1.4052210

Abstract The most common joining method in steel gas pipelines is welding; however, this method involves time-consuming, expensive manufacturing and assembly processes to ensure quality in operation. Bell–Spigot joints, which work by mechanical interference, have started to be used as an alternative joining method in steel pipes. Its use has increased due to its reduced assembly time and fewer postassembly inspection requirements. In this paper, the structural performance of Bell–Spigot joints in 16-in. steel pipe API 5 L X70 with fusion bonded epoxy coating for Natural Gas transmission pipeline are evaluated experimentally and by modeling. Test pieces were taken from the gas pipeline after 3 years of operation. Then, tensile pull-out and bending with hydrostatic pressure tests were performed to replicate operating conditions. Deformations, displacements, and the potential presence of leaks were monitored. Experimental results were compared with a finite element method model. Finally, an analytical model for the calculation of stresses and strains in the joint system's components was developed. It was determined that the tightness of the joint depends mainly on the radial interference and the interference length. A higher safety factor can be obtained at the Bell–Spigot joint than the base pipeline by optimizing the selection of joint design variables and the service loading conditions. If the interference pressure is lower than half of the operation pressure, the joint's mechanical strength will be higher or equal that the base pipe. Under interference pressure at operating pressure conditions, the most vulnerable component is the Bell due to the increased stresses acting on it, while the operating pressure relieves the stresses on the Spigot due to the interference pressure acting in the opposite direction. Under combined loading of internal pressure and external bending force, the base pipeline is the most susceptible component to fail. Therefore, the use of Spigot–Bell joints reduces assembly times and costs in steel gas pipelines while providing a safe and reliable joint under operating conditions.

Study of hydraulic resistance in collapsible pipelines

The features of conducting research on hydraulic resistances of collapsible pipelines with a bell and spigot joint are shown. The importance of taking into account the influence of pipe joints on the flow of the pumped liquid, as well as deviations from straightness due to angular mobility, is noted. Data on the determination of pressure losses in collapsible pipelines PMTP-100 and TSR-MK-100 based on the results of tests carried out on sections of 1200 m long when pumping water are presented. The values of Darcy friction factor are also set. As a result of processing experimental data using mathematical statistics, the values of the coefficient of equivalent roughness of the inner surface of pipes of prefabricated pipelines PMTP-100 and TSR-MK-100 were determined. Using the methodological apparatus of hydraulic modeling, calculations were made to simulate the pumping of various groups and brands fuels through collapsible pipelines. In the analysis of the data revealed that by reducing the coefficient of equivalent roughness of the inner surface of pipes, supply pipeline TSR-MK-100 can be higher than by pipeline PMTP-100 on average, 5-13%.

Modelling and parametric study of a gasketed bell and spigot joint in a buried high density polyethylene pipeline

The performance of joints in gravity flow pipelines has recently been investigated since these elements influence the longevity of the pipeline system. A variety of pipe materials and joint configurations are available for gravity applications; for lined corrugated High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines, gasketed bell and spigot joints are the commonest configuration employed in North America. The purpose of the present research study is to develop a numerical model of this joint configuration that helps improve the understanding of its behavior by capturing the kinematics of the system while buried and subjected to surface load. The model provided estimates of springline rotation within 9% of the observed angle, and vertical displacement at the joint in the crown region within 8% of the experimental data from a previous research study. Other objectives include a parametric study to assess the influence of various factors that control joint performance such as surface load position and configuration, soil properties around the pipe, and the presence of pavement. The results from the parametric study indicated that the size difference of the loading pads employed in North America had little influence on the response of the jointed pipeline. It also confirmed that the single wheel pair configuration produces some of the largest demands across the joint compared to single and tandem axle configurations. The results demonstrated the significant influence that the soil and pavement have on the kinematics demands that develop across the joint due to surface loads.

Full-scale experimental study of the dynamic performance of buried drainage pipes under polymer grouting trenchless rehabilitation

Polymer grouting technology is a cost-effective and trenchless method for repairing leakage and subsidence of drainage pipelines. This paper reports the results of a full-scale experimental approach in the field, where we tested the structural dynamic responses, before and after polymer grouting trenchless repairing, of a reinforced concrete drainage pipeline of 700 mm inner diameter buried in dense soil and subjected to both surface impact loads and driving loads. The dynamic changes of three types of pipeline—the normal pipeline, disengaged pipeline, and polymer-repaired pipeline—is reported in detail in this paper for different soil cover depths, types and magnitudes of loads, and locations. The results show that under the surface load of the soil, the pipe experiences compression at its crown and bottom and tension at its springlines on both sides; moreover, the circumferential stress is greater than its longitudinal stress. An additional impact load or driving load has its greatest influence within 3 m on both sides of its point of action. The bell and spigot joints are the most vulnerable places in the pipeline. There the vertical displacement is discontinuous and relatively large when extra loads are applied. The dynamic response of the pipeline is greater to impact loads than to actual driving loads of comparable magnitude. Uneven pavement also enhances the response of a buried pipeline to the surface traffic load. Pipeline disengagement has a substantial negative effect on the overall mechanical resilience of the pipeline. However, polymer grouting can repair a disengaged pipeline effectively, even restoring its mechanical behavior to that of a normal pipeline.

Modeling and Parametric Study of Gasketed Bell and Spigot Joint in Buried RC Pipeline

AbstractJoints in buried pipelines have diverse configurations and materials, and are subjected to different loading and installation conditions which will influence their performance. Therefore th...

Response of Gasketed Bell and Spigot Joint in Small-Diameter HDPE Pipes Subjected to Expected Field Demands

AbstractGasketed bell and spigot joints in flexible pipelines are expected to be subjected to shear force, diameter change (or ovalization), and rotation under field conditions. Nonetheless, only s...

Experimental analysis of bridge falsework Cuplok systems

Bridge falsework systems are frequently used during the construction of cast-in-place concrete bridges. These structures have a significant impact on the cost, construction rate and safety of the supported permanent structures. However, in recent years a high number of accidents involving bridge falsework systems have occurred worldwide. This paper concerns experimental tests on joints of falsework Cuplok systems. In this paper, the results of 192 tests carried out during the experimental programme are presented, consisting of five different experiments on three different types of joints. Relevant new results are obtained concerning the bending behaviour and resistance of spigot joints (used to connect two vertical elements) and forkhead joints (used to connect the falsework system to the formwork system), relating to which no published research has been found to date. Based on the results, joint models are evaluated and improved empirical analytical models are developed. Finally, probabilistic models for the most relevant variables controlling the behaviour and resistance of the Cuplok joints (used to connect horizontal elements to vertical elements) are presented that can be used in the probabilistic analysis of falsework Cuplok systems.

The mechanical behaviour of drainage pipeline under traffic load before and after polymer grouting trenchless repairing

Polymer grouting technology is an economical and efficient trenchless way to repair leakage and settlement of drainage pipeline. In this paper, the mechanical behaviours of drainage pipeline under traffic load before and after polymer grouting and cement grouting trenchless repairing are investigated through three-dimensional (3D) finite element method (FEM). Four different working conditions, including normal pipeline, disengaging pipeline, polymer-repaired pipeline, and cement-repaired pipeline are considered. The effects of load type, load location, buried depth on the mechanics of pipe are discussed in detail. The results show that the traffic load has great impact on both sides of the load position within 4 m, and the dangerous points of the pipeline are located at the bell and spigot joints. The most unfavorable condition occurs when the location of the disengaging corresponding to the load position. The greater influence on the disengaging pipeline with deeper buried depth applied. The disengaging pipeline can be repairing effectively and reliably by both the polymer and the cement grouting technology. However, the polymer material is more valuable than the cement material in terms of the Mises stresses after repairing.

Performance and damage evolution of plain and fibre-reinforced segmental concrete pipelines subjected to transverse permanent ground displacement

This paper presents the results of three full-scale experiments performed on segmental concrete pipelines subjected to permanent ground displacement. The first pipeline was made of reinforced concrete pipes and the second pipeline was made of steel fibre-reinforced concrete pipes. The third pipeline was made of a combination of fibre-reinforced and reinforced concrete pipes. An array of sensing techniques was used to assess the damage evolution in pipelines and their overall performance. Three stages of damage were observed. In the first stage, damage was concentrated in the joints near the fault line. In the second stage, the damage occurred in all joints along the pipeline. While in the first two stages damage was mainly concentrated at the bell and spigot joints of the pipe segments, the third stage of damage was characterised by severe damage and rupture of the body of pipe segments located in the immediate vicinity of the fault line. The modes of failure for the plain and fibre-reinforced concrete pipelines were similar in the first and second stages of damage. However, in the pipeline constructed using both plain and fibre-reinforced concrete pipe segments, the damage was concentrated in the standard reinforced concrete pipe segments.

Rotational Characteristics of a Gasketed Bell and Spigot Joint in a Pressurized Reinforced Concrete Pipeline

AbstractJoints in gravity flow pipelines can be subjected to internal or external pressure, depending on the conditions. Such conditions will influence the rotational stiffness of the joints and therefore may affect the behavior of the pipeline responding to surface loading. The purpose of this article is to characterize the influence of pressure variations on joint stiffness and assess their effect on pipeline response to live loading. First, rotation tests on a 600-mm-diameter reinforced concrete pipeline with gasketed bell and spigot joints subjected to internal positive and negative pressure are described. Next, numerical analyses are performed to approximate the rotational stiffness of the joint observed during the tests. Subsequently, these results are employed in new numerical analyses to evaluate the influence of the rotational stiffness of the joint on the behavior of a buried pipeline subjected to surface loading. It is shown that variations in pressure affect the rotational stiffness of the joi...

Effect of the location of broken wire wraps on the failure pressure of prestressed concrete cylinder pipes

AbstractThe effect of the location of broken prestressing wire wraps on the overall strength of prestressed concrete cylinder pipes (PCCP) is investigated here. An advanced computational model based on non‐linear finite element analysis is used to study three possible locations of broken wire wraps: at the spigot joint, at the bell joint and in the barrel of the pipe. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the cracking of the concrete core and the yielding of the prestressing wires and steel cylinder with increasing internal pressure and with an increasing number of broken wire wraps. Two classes of 2.44 m embedded cylinder pipe (ECP) were modelled with 5, 35, 70, and 100 wire wrap breaks. The results show that broken wire wraps at the joint, and especially the spigot joint, decrease the overall strength of PCCP more so than those at the bell joint or in the barrel of the pipe. The intensity of this effect increases with increasing internal pressure and with a larger number of broken wire wraps.

Behaviour of bell and spigot joints in buried reinforced concrete pipelines

Joint behaviour in reinforced concrete pipes when buried and subjected to service live loading needs to be assessed to define the expected response of these elements, as excessive rotation and (or) shear across the joint could generate structural damage or leakage and subsequent loss in soil support that can bring the system to its serviceability or resistance limits. Two reinforced concrete pipelines with bell and spigot joints, one 600 mm (24 in.) and the other 1200 mm (48 in.) in diameter, were buried and subjected to the maximum service live loading for a simulated wheel pair at three independent locations above the pipeline. The smaller specimen was also tested with the protruding bells placed directly on the stiff foundation. Each pipeline was then tested up to and beyond the fully factored load at shallow cover and with the load applied directly over the central joint. The response of a single joint within the pipe system can be conservatively evaluated considering two rigid pipes connected by a hinge, and considering a single wheel pair (not axle loads), the most severe surface load condition. Neglecting leakage that was not studied, the joint strength was controlled by the circumferential response of the bells.

Behavior and response of lead-caulked bell–spigot joints in cast iron water mains

The annular space between bell and spigot joints for cast iron pipes installed between 1850 and the early 1960s in North America was typically caulked with lead. Lead was caulked unto place using hand-held or pneumatic hammers and special chisels. Historical anecdotal evidence suggests that some bells may have cracked during caulking, especially if the jointer was over zealous in hammering the lead in place or used pneumatic hammers with excessive pressure to produce a tight joint. This paper examines two mechanistic models, one linear and another non-linear, to estimate the levels of hoop stress induced in the bell as a consequence of lead caulking. Illustrative analyses of lead caulking joints in 16″ and 48″ diameter pipes show that the linear model tends to predict unrealistic high stresses while the non-linear model produced more realistic stresses. Tensile hoop stresses can reach as high as 25% of the tensile strength of cast iron if the joint caulker is over zealous in the hammering action. The non-linear model was also used to reproduce caulking-induced stresses in tests conducted on 20″ diameter pipes by Prior in 1935.