Pipeline Response to Directionally and Spatially Correlated Seismic Ground Motions

Abstract

This study analyzes the response of continuous, straight, large diameter pipelines subjected to spatially and directionally correlated seismic ground motions. The stochastic characteristics of the seismic motions of Event 5 recorded at the SMART-1 array in Lotung, Taiwan, are used as input motions in random vibration analyses of the structures. The results indicate that the pipeline response is sensitive to the structure’s axis orientation relative to the directions of the recorded seismic motions and to the degree of exponential decay of the spatial variability.