Large Axial Deformation Performance of Steel Pipeline Designed for Fault Crossings

Pipeline susceptibility to ground deformation resulting from natural hazards, such as earthquake-induced surface rupture, lateral spreading and landslides, as well as construction related movements is well-documented. The present need to replace and retrofit existing infrastructure in high risk areas is being addressed through the introduction of a variety of hazard-resilient pipeline systems. This paper reports on a large-scale testing program to characterize the performance of a novel hazard-resilient pipeline structure under large deformation. The experiments were performed at Cornell University’s Geotechnical Lifelines Large-Scale Testing Facility and include tests to characterize the axial capacity of a geometric inclusion (or wave feature) for use in continuously welded steel transmission pipelines crossing fault zones. Results from the testing program show that the wave feature can accommodate significant levels of deformation without pipeline rupture or leakage while limiting loss of cross-sectional area and flow capacity.