Wave Forces on Pipeline Buried in Permeable Seabed

The wave-induced seepage force on buried pipelines has been evaluated theoretically. The seepage force is shown to be large enough to warrant inclusion in future engineering design calculations for pipeline stablity. The pore-water pressure field at a pipeline buried in a permeable seabed has been determined from potential theory and the pressure at the pipe integrated to give a net seepage force. This force, of constant magnitude, rotates as the waves pass, thereby tending to force the pipe against the surrounding soil in a cyclic manner. As each wave trough passes over the pipeline the seepage force acts vertically upwards and when combined with the total bouyant force it increases the likelihood of pipeline flotation.