Dynamic Stresses and Displacements in Buried Pipe

Abstract

Dynamic response of a pipeline buried in a semi‐infinite elastic medium is investigated. The pipeline is modeled as a circular cylindrical shell of small thickness. The incident disturbances are assumed to be plane waves moving perpendicular to the axis of the pipeline. Thus, the problem is either one of plane strain, which will be examined herein, or antiplane strain. Two problems are considered: (1) The pipe is surrounded by a homogeneous soft soil; and (2) the pipe lies in a cylinder of soft soil, which is surrounded by a rock‐like material. It is shown by comparison that the stresses and displacements are significantly modified in the latter case. The response is also found to be considerably influenced by the frequency of the incident wave and depth of the embedment.