Underground Pipeline System Research Articles

Theoretical and numerical analysis of end force of multilayer bellows expansion joint

Multilayer bellows expansion joint is a thin-walled shell widely used in underground pipeline systems for displacement compensation and vibration absorbing. The bellows expansion joint’s end force affects the underground pipeline’s safety. It is urgent to solve the end force of the bellows expansion joint theoretically. However, scholars only obtained the coupling solution of the end force of the bellows expansion joint, which is inconvenient in theoretical analysis and engineering application. This paper proposes a decoupling solution for a bellows expansion joint based on theoretical and numerical methods. The end force is decoupled to the deviation of the bending pressure which is caused by overcoming its own stiffness and internal pressure. In the end force expression, stiffness and internal pressure are independent of each other, which can evaluate the influence of asymmetric pressure difference and external load on end force more accurately. In the end, the accuracy of the decoupling solution is verified by the finite element method and coupling solution. The results show that the decoupling solution agrees with the results obtained by the finite element method and coupling solution. It can provide a theoretical basis for the design of the bellows structure.

Leak detection and localization in underground water supply system using thermal imaging and geophone signals through machine learning

The underground water pipeline system is a crucial infrastructure that largely remains out of sight. However, it is the source of a clean and uninterrupted flow of water for our everyday lives. Various factors, including corrosion, material degradation, ground movement, and improper maintenance, cause pipe leaks, a silent crisis that causes an estimated 39 billion dollars of loss every year. Prompt leakage detection and localization can help reduce the loss. This research investigates the potential of two machine learning models as supporting tools for surveying extensive areas to identify and pinpoint the location of underground leaks. The presented combined approach ensures the speed and accuracy of the leakage survey. The first machine learning model is a hybrid ML model that employs thermal imaging to identify subterranean water leakage. It relies on detecting thermal anomalies and distinctive signatures associated with water leakage to identify and locate underground water leakage. The developed model can detect up to 750 mm underground leakage with 95.20 % accuracy. The second model uses binaural audio from geophones to localize the leakage position. The model utilizes interaural time difference and interaural phase difference for localization purposes, and the 1D-CNN network delivers an angle in twenty-degree increments with an accuracy of 88.19 %. Large-scale implementation of the proposed model could be a powerful catalyst to reduce water loss in the water supply system.

Healable azopolymer coatings with photoinduced reversible solid-to-liquid transitions for trenchless rehabilitation of pipelines

The development of healable polymers is crucial for the maintenance of underground pipeline systems during trenchless rehabilitation. While photocurable resins are commercial materials for this purpose, we introduce an innovative option: azobenzene-containing polymers (azopolymers) with photoinduced reversible solid-to-liquid transitions. The newly developed azopolymer comprises a methacrylate backbone and side chains incorporating hexyl spacers, azobenzene moieties, and dodecyl tails. We compared the thermal stability, efficiency of photoinduced solid-to-liquid transition, and adhesive strength among azopolymers with varying molecular weights. Subsequently, we identified the most suitable azopolymer for PVC pipe lining. The robust trans azopolymer inner layer maintains a solid state at ambient temperatures. Upon pipe damage, UV irradiation triggers trans-to-cis isomerization, leading to the conversion of the solid trans azopolymer into a liquid cis state. This flowing cis azopolymer effectively repairs cracks and can be reverted to its trans isomer via visible light irradiation or thermal relaxation. Unlike commercial photocurable resins, the developed azopolymers offer the advantage of multiple repair cycles. This study highlights the potential of azopolymers with photoinduced reversible solid-to-liquid transitions as innovative healable materials in trenchless rehabilitation technology.

Influence of Temperature and Long-Term Operation on Metal Durability of Pipelines of Hydrotechnical Structures

The paper considers the issue of the influence of ambient temperature and service life on the endurance of pipe steels of underground pipelines. The results of numerous experimental studies allowed us to draw the following conclusions. An analysis of the experimental data indicates that for all the studied steels, the endurance decreases with decreasing air temperature, mainly down to-20... -30 °C. This can be explained by the embrittlement of the metal, i.e. a decrease in the plastic properties of the pipeline metal structure. In addition, it can be seen from the given data that low-alloy steels 48KhN, 09G2S, 10GS have the highest endurance. Weak endurance is mainly typical of grade 20 carbon steel. Experimental studies show that with an increase in the service life of pipes, their endurance decreases, and this tendency is inherent in all the studied steels. Studies of the endurance of pipe steels under complex stress states show that static torsional stresses close to the yield strength, when tested in the air, do not reduce fatigue life. Although the corrosive environment significantly reduces the cyclic strength of steel under shear stresses up to τcr=05τY, the conditional limit of corrosion fatigue is not lower than when tested for corrosion fatigue under the action of only alternating stresses in a symmetrical cycle. It could be considered that the torsional stress in the pipeline system does not exceed 10 MPa. In that case, their influence on practical calculations on the endurance of pipes of underground pipeline systems can be neglected.

A Narrative of Urban Underground Pipeline System Disasters in China in 2021: Spatial and Temporal Distribution, Causal Analysis, and Response Strategies

In recent years, there have been frequent disasters and accidents in the underground pipeline system of Chinese cities, posing a continuous threat to the safety of life and property of the public and the order of urban operations. This article uses statistical data on the spatiotemporal distribution of major underground pipeline disasters in various provinces of China in 2021. By using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis, a causal analysis model for urban underground pipeline accidents is constructed, and the correlation between urban underground pipeline accident rate and economic and social indicators is analyzed. From the analysis, it has been found that the correlation coefficients of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, the pipeline density in the built-up area, and the urban pipeline accident rate reach −0.4019 and −0.4275, respectively, showing a negative correlation. Further, the regression analysis results show that the underground pipeline accident rate shows a decreasing trend as the per capita GDP and the density of pipelines in the built-up areas increase. Among them, the results of the power function fitting model show that the GDP per capita accounts for 48.10% of the urban underground pipeline accidents, whereas the pipeline density of the built-up area accounts for 58.27% of these accidents. The construction of underground pipeline regulations is influential in reducing underground pipeline disaster accidents. In this study, the role and effectiveness of the factors, such as the construction of professional regulations in maintaining the safe operation of urban underground pipelines, has been discussed, and suggestions and methods to improve the problems that need to be solved, such as the construction of a municipal supporting emergency management system in the safe operation of underground pipelines in the future, have been proposed.

A sustainable BIM-based multidisciplinary framework for underground pipeline clash detection and analysis

An urban underground pipeline system is widely applied to ensure the normal operation of urban functions. Building information modelling (BIM) can integrate a multi-disciplinary underground pipeline information system to improve the efficiency and quality of underground pipeline management and maintenance. This study therefore used BIM to establish a sustainable multi-disciplinary evaluation framework for underground pipeline clash detection and analysis. The framework integrated modules such as clash type definition and analysis, clash-rule definition, BIM clash detection, rule contribution and evaluation, irrelevant clash filtration, and clash coordination. The results showed that the proposed framework can effectively reduce design errors and burdens, and develop a knowledge-based rule for multiple participants and data objects, maximising multi-level and multi-factor optimisation for underground pipeline management and maintenance. The results also indicated that the sustainable BIM-aided urban underground pipeline optimisation framework plays an important role in advancing the infrastructural design process, and the exploration of greener measures to improve the underground built environment.

Discussion on the Integrated Technology Development of Urban Underground Pipeline Surveying and Mapping

As a basic content of urban construction, underground pipeline surveying and mapping has made great progress in the development of urban information construction. The surveying and mapping technology integrating internal and external industries can promote the construction of underground pipeline system, which is an effective measure to coordinate the healthy development of the city. Because the underground pipeline construction is closely related to the quality of people’s quality of life, but also inseparable from the urban construction and development, therefore, it is necessary to improve the attention to the underground pipeline mapping. At present, although China has made great achievements in the research and application of underground pipeline survey and integrated surveying and mapping technology, there are still many deficiencies in the actual underground pipeline management, lagging behind the western developed countries. Based on this, this paper combines the relevant practical experience, summarizes the problems existing in the integration technology of underground pipeline surveying and mapping, undertakes the above theories, puts forward the corresponding thinking and suggestions, and makes a comprehensive discussion, in order to improve the integration level of underground pipeline surveying and mapping in China.

Application of ground-penetrating radar method to detect underground pipes in PAIR BATAN utility area

Underground pipeline systems dominate today’s urban area landscape. This buried pipeline system will continuously develop along with the utility change. The planning for underground pipelines should be done to avoid mistakes in the pipeline path. Thus, mapping for the underground pipeline is necessary to obtain a database for any upcoming construction development. This research purpose is to detect underground pipelines around utility areas using the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) method. A frequency of 300 MHz was used to acquire GPR data from 6 lines, with a total length of 22.6m for each line and 0.5m for the line spacing. A sequence of processing stages of the GPR data was conducted using matGPR, a MATLAB-based program. Interpretable GPR profiles from each measurement line are obtained after adjusting signal position, removing DC, Dewow, mean filter, gaining, removing global background, and KL-filter. The results show an obvious amplitude reflection anomaly. Each line has similar detected underground pipes from its vertical axis, travel time, and horizontal distance. Clearly, all lines show an obvious contrast anomaly located at the 2.5 m horizontal distance. This most striking anomaly is interpreted as a water tunnel. In comparison, the other five parabolic-shaped anomalies were identified as underground pipes.

Pipeline Rescue Robot using Raspberry Pi

Nowadays, a lot of work is being carried out by the government to build new flyovers, improve the underground pipeline system, development of smart city etc. for which a lot of holes are being dug. Some of them are very deep which could be a threat not only to the workers children but also to the children leaving in that neighborhood. Most of these works have not yet been completed and it is very risky for the children to play or move around it. Sometimes there are larger pipelines or boreholes dug and left uncovered and there are no precautionary measure taken around it. These boreholes or pipelines are not only dug the government but also by some of the individual houses or apartments to solve water problems. Children playing around it often fall down in it borehole which is left uncovered in most of the places and get trapped in there. It is very arduous and also dangerous to rescue the child trapped inside a borehole or pipeline and rescue operation must be carried out safely, such that it should not harm or injure the child during the rescue process. A small delay, might put the child’s life in danger. Currently, the rescue operation is carried out manually. Whenever there is a requirement to rescue a child, a man would tie himself, equipped with oxygen and with the help of his fellow colleagues go down into the borehole or pipeline. This procedure takes time and it also puts the life of the person who goes down for rescue operation to risk.It is also a time consuming process. If the depth of the pipeline is very deep, this kind of rescue process is very dangerous and time consuming. Since time is the key in this type of situation, it is necessary to come up with the alternate method of rescue, which is safe for the child and the rescue team. It should also not consume too much time unless there are no hinders. The main objective of this project is to design and construct a pipeline rescue robot (i.e. a robot designed to rescue a trapped child without any person manually entering inside the pipeline or borehole). This project is a human controlled and monitored robot that gives a clear view of the child that needs to be rescued safely and steps taken appropriately to achieve that. The project focuses in designing a “Robot to rescue a child stuck in a pipeline or borehole” which moves inside the pipeline according to the commands given by the user through PC. The robotic arm used in here can also be used for other application just by replacing the gripper. The robot is handled through PC by making use of Zigbee technology and a camera which provides a view in the PC. This robot uses LDR which gets activated in dark surroundings thus making LED glow. DC motor helps in upward and downward movement of the robotic arm accordingly to the depth of the pipeline. It is a low cost robot, which can be modified and used for various other applications.

Towards the adaptability of coastal resilience: Vulnerability analysis of underground gas pipeline system after hurricanes using LiDAR data

The coastal pipeline is subjected to threats after extreme coastal weather events, however, most of the extant work fails to include pipeline risk assessment in the post-disaster coastal resilience evaluation, because the labor-intensive and time-consuming pipeline risk analysis techniques cannot be readily extended for disaster application. To address this need, this study exploited Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data for the vulnerability analysis of underground gas pipeline system after hurricanes. Specifically, compared to the prevailing work that is emphasized on the accuracy, this studied identified three requirements for disaster response applications including rapidity, applicability, and operability. Upon these requirements, we integrated LiDAR data with geospatial processing tools in ArcGIS to identify the most vulnerable location in the pipeline system aftermath of hurricanes in the coastal community. The method is implemented to cope with four facets of threats (vertical displacement, lateral deformation, flooding, and aging effect) and validated using a hurricane Sandy case study in Ocean County, New Jersey. The results showed that the proposed method not only satisfies the above three requirements in disaster response, but also aligns with the observed hurricane-induced damage patterns, and therefore deem appropriate for vulnerability analysis of underground gas pipeline system after hurricanes.

Investigation of damage to the water network of Uki City from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake: derivation of damage functions and construction of infrastructure loss scenarios

The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (main-shock: Mw 7.0, April 16th) has induced a widespread disruption of lifeline systems across the affected area. In Uki City (Kumamoto prefecture, Japan), water supply had been intermittently cut off for several days: as a result, around 50 repair operations on various locations of the underground pipeline system have been carried out by municipal services. In order to better constrain the vulnerability of such infrastructure with respect to future earthquakes, the collected empirical data is exploited to derive repair-rate functions for ductile pipelines (ductile iron and polyvinyl chloride) of small diameter (less than 100 mm). Due to the relatively low number of data points over a limited range of seismic intensity, the derivation of purely empirical damage function appears to be subject to significant statistical biases. Therefore, a Bayesian updating framework is adopted, where prior information on the parameters of the repair-rate function is estimated from existing damage functions from the literature. Moreover, the uncertainty related to the characterization of the Peak Ground Velocity at the location of the pipelines is taken into account by: (i) the generation of shake-maps with different assumptions on ground-motion prediction equations or fault models, and (ii) the inclusion of a spatially correlated field of the intra-event shake-map error term (i.e., modelling of the inherent variability of the seismic intensity). The results show that the derived repair-rate equation is consistent with some existing functions for ductile and earthquake-resistant pipeline segments. The effect of specific land conditions (e.g., topographic/geological factors) is also investigated, with the possibility to further parametrize the repair-rate function. Finally, the developed damage functions are applied to stochastic simulations of the seismic performance of the water network, while keeping track of various sources of uncertainties and quantifying their impact on the system’s loss distribution.

A Study of the Technique for Assessment of Locations and Conditions of the Underground Pipeline: Case Study for Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand

Underground pipeline systems in Thailand have been used for a long time. Lack of maintenances and longtime using cause a lot of damages. The water distribution systems are affected by the quality of water from contaminations and the quantity of water from leaking. As well as the sewer systems may flow through and contaminate the groundwater. Due to the long period of time of using underground pipeline systems, the verification of the underground location is need before testing the conditions of the systems with undisturbed area methods. This study focuses on the collection of the underground utilities locating methods and the conditions assessment methods. We also apply one suitable method for our case study area which is Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand. The results show the collection of methods to verify the underground location and conditions systems as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Results also describe about conventional CCTV with push-rod camera for assessing underground pipeline systems for Nakhon Pathom province and the locations verification is fitted with ground penetrating radar, infrared thermography and acoustic location system. The design of a mobile robot to be flexible according to the pipe size and the creation of a computer program that can analyze the most suitable methods for examining buried pipes is a good option for further expansion in the future.

Design of and Research on underground pipeline system in campus based on 3DGIS

The underground pipeline of campus is an extremely complex and huge system, and the traditional pipeline management mode can no longer meet the requirements of campus development and planning. The 3D geographic information visualization method can accurately describe the location and distribution information of various pipelines and spatial features, which can better serve the management of underground pipelines on campus. This paper designed overall framework and technology framework of underground pipeline information system, the system is satisfied with the PC, Web, mobile terminal and other multi-client access. In this paper, the key technology points of underground pipeline system construction on campus are comprehensively analyzed, and the feasibility of the technology is verified by combining with the practical application of underground pipeline system in lanzhou university.

Safety assessment of oil and gas pipelines using satellite information

The study of influence of a pipeline laid in permafrost soils on surrounding soils is an urgent task to ensure safe operation of pipeline. It is known that increase in temperature field of frozen soils is main factor contributing to activation of negative geocryological processes that affect the reliability of underground pipeline systems. Activation of geocryological processes, waterlogging of the territory of pipeline corridor causes a change in the state and type of vegetation, which can be fixed and observed by means of satellite information interpretation. We used multi-temporal images of Landsat satellite. Decoding was carried out on ENVI software package; to assess the change in vegetation state, vegetation index NDVI was used. Results of the research show that using vegetation index allows identifying and classifying different types of vegetation, assessing changes in vegetation cover and waterlogging of the territory using satellite images at different times, and thus tracking activation and attenuation of geocryological processes and indirectly assess condition of the pipeline. The use of satellite imagery is one of the stages of geotechnical monitoring and makes it possible to quickly receive information over a large area, which is important for extensive linear systems located in remote areas, and complements ground monitoring works well.

Accident Prevention and Diagnostics of Underground Pipeline Systems

Up to forty thousand accidents occur annually with underground pipelines due to corrosion. The comparison of the methods for assessing the quality of anti-corrosion coating is provided. It is proposed to use the device to be tied-in to existing pipeline which has a higher functionality in comparison with other types of the devices due to the possibility of tie-in to the pipelines with different diameters. The existing technologies and applied materials allow us to organize industrial production of the proposed device.

Finite element analysis and experimental study on a bellows joint

Bellows joint is a critical part of an underground pipeline system, which can undergo severe damage such as breaking, crushing, and bending under a strong earthquake. In our research work, finite element analysis (FEA) of the bellows joint was studied using LS-DYNA. Single convolution and multi-convolution bellows joints applied with different loadings were investigated. Force – displacement curve, plastic strain distribution and bending moment – angular displacement curve were obtained. Furthermore, low frequency cyclicexperiment on 4-convolution bellows joints was conducted and the results from the experiment were compared with the results from FEA. The load capacity of the multi-convolution bellows joint was almost the same as the single convolution bellows joint, and the energy absorption increased with the number of the convolution linearly.

Flow characteristics and wear prediction of Herschel‐Bulkley non‐Newtonian paste backfill in pipe elbows

Backfill process has become standard practice in mining industry where the backfill slurry is transported from surface to underground via a pipeline system. Paste backfill is one of the types of backfill slurries which in recent years has gained popularity due to its reduced water content, fast solidification time, and environmentally friendly reputation. However, wear and erosion of the pipe have been a major issue in some paste backfill pipeline operations. Paste backfill behaves as a non‐Newtonian fluid and can be modelled as a Herschel‐Bulkley fluid. To better understand the flow behaviour and wear rate of paste backfill in underground pipeline systems, experimental and numerical studies were carried out. The former focuses on the slump test and L‐pipe flow test to characterize paste backfill properties, while the latter aims to develop a three‐dimensional mathematical model to evaluate flow and wear characteristics in pipe elbows. To ensure robust and accurate solutions, the model was verified with analytical solutions and validated against experimental data. The numerical results suggest that elbow design and paste backfill property significantly affect secondary flow generation which is further reflected in the pipe wear rate. Thicker paste backfill slurry flowing in the 5D elbow yields the lowest wear rate which is beneficial for practical application, albeit it comes at a higher pressure drop.

Hydrant refueling system as an optimisation of aircraft refuelling

Summary. At large international airports, aircraft can be refuelled either by fuel trucks or using dedicated underground pipeline systems. The latter, hydrant refuelling, is considered to be an optimal fuelling method as it increases safety, shortens the aircraft turnaround time and cuts the overall costs. However, at smaller airports, implementation of this system can lead to high investment costs. Thus, the paper discusses the airport size from which this system may be efficient to implement. Various definitions of term “airport size” are assessed. Based on data collection, the hydrant system model is created within the paper. As a result, methodology for assessing the suitability of hydrant system implementation is set. This methodology can be used at every airport using three simple inputs.

뉴질랜드 크라이스트처어치 지진에 의해 발생된 영구지반변형과 매설된 상수도관 성능평가

In this study, the performance of underground water pipeline system affected by earthquakes is examined by using data acquired after MW 6.2 February 22, 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, NZ. Water pipeline repair rates, expressed as repairs/km, for different types of pipe are evaluated inside the areas of which liquefaction induced by permanent ground deformation was observed and assessed relative to differential settlement and lateral ground strain, calculated from high resolution LiDAR data acquired before and after each seismic event. The earthquake performance of underground water pipeline systems associated with permanent ground deformation is summarized in this paper. The results show that highly ductile polyethylene water pipelines has a high earthquake performance.

Analysis of Lightning Phenomena for Underground Petroleum Pipeline System

This article presents the lightning phenomena analysis for underground petroleum pipeline system and protection guideline by considering an electrical continuity after a lightning strike to the earth. The result of transient state occur on the pipeline by using mathematical program (ATP-EMTP) to simulate standard waveform 10/350 micro second which will be linked to several dimensions. This study will transform physical characteristics into electrical characteristics such as pipe metal, pipe insulator, conductors in corrosion protection circuit and earth as parameters in the analysis. The result of this simulation found that the transient voltage will rise higher if length is longer and higher than safety allowance of pipe corrosion protection equipment. To limit this over voltage, this study used proper lightning protection equipment characteristics. From the result of simulation and the proper characteristics of lightning protection equipment, the transient voltage was limited follow BS 60950 standard. The result showed that the correct lightning protection equipment will help to reduce damage to asset of petroleum transportation industry from lightning strike.