Analysis of Air- and Liquid-Filled Heavy Geomembrane Tubes with Internal Restraint Baffles

Abstract

Nonlinear analysis of air and/or liquid-filled heavy geomembrane tubes with internal baffle is analytically investigated, as the plane-strain free-boundary problem, to describe the equilibrium profiles of the tube. The tube’s cross-sectional profile depends on the tube’s weight, the internal pressure, and the baffle size. Both geometric and equilibrium equations are used to obtain the tube’s profile in explicit closed form. The validity of the present solution is confirmed by comparing the results with those reported earlier in the literature, and some parametric studies are carried out. Using the present method, it is possible to estimate the main design parameters of the heavy geomembrane tubes including their profiles and internal tensions of the membrane.