Buried Concrete Pipe Trench Installation Analysis

Abstract

The conventional approach for determining load on buried concrete pipe for trench installation is summarized. A finite element computer model's capabilities are demonstrated by examining cases of trench installations for which some field experience is available. Comparisons are made between predictions using the conventional method and the new computer method. The conventional method estimated higher load on the pipe than the computer model for trench installations. This is partly because the conventional trench method neglects the support capability of the sidefill soil. The computer method is shown to have advantages over the conventional method in its ability to represent a variety of actual installation conditions and to provide information on soil pressure distribution needed for pipe design.