Buried Pipe Modeling With Initial Imperfections

Abstract

A formulation using the finite element method is presented in this paper to analyze stresses and displacements of underground pipelines with initial imperfections. The formulation includes both thermal expansion of the pipeline and internal pressure. The method is based on large deformation beam theory with the finite element formulation based on Euler-Bernoulli beam elements of constant cross-section. The pipe-soil interaction is modeled as a nonlinear elastic foundation in the problem formulation. The resulting nonlinear finite element model with appropriate boundary conditions is solved using full Newton-Raphson as the iterative procedure. Numerical examples are provided to show the application of the methodology and to demonstrate the effect of the initial imperfections in the stress distribution of a buried pipe. The results show that initial imperfections have a considerable influence on the stress distribution of buried pipelines, leading in some cases to stress levels above the allowable limit established by the design codes. The results also help to identify the critical temperature at which buckling of the buried pipe might occur.