Limit Analysis Method for Evaluating Soil Resistance to Lateral Motions of Pipelines Partially Embedded in a Seafloor
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 17, Issue 9
Abstract
The lateral soil resistance available to pipelines partially embedded in a seafloor is of interest in evaluating pipeline lateral buckling capacity, stability under forces resulting from current loads, or route pullout loads. An upper-bound limit analysis method, including equilibrium requirements in a manner common to lower-bound theories, was used to evaluate lateral soil resistance to pipe displacements. The method is applicable to sand and clay foundations with homogeneous or layered conditions. Comparisons with results from physical tests and other limit analysis and finite-element investigations are presented. The numerical limit analysis procedure was implemented through numerical-computing software. An optimization procedure was used to identify the minimum resistance satisfying the governing objective equations. The seafloor surface geometry may include soil berms or other features. The soil strength may be described by a linear Mohr-Coulomb criterion or a curved criterion representing a varying material friction angle.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 17 • Issue 9 • September 2017
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 27, 2016
Accepted: Mar 13, 2017
Published online: Jun 5, 2017
Published in print: Sep 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Nov 5, 2017
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