Research Programs on Pipeline Crossings

A history and summary report concerning the activities of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Research Council on Pipeline Crossings of Railroads and Highways is given. This Research Council was created to substantiate certain theories to be used in the design criteria for cased and uncased pipeline crossings. The areas placed under investigation dealt with the physical performance of pipelines subjected to surface loadings, the stresses resulting from external loadings and internal pressure, the forces acting on a buried pipeline resulting from static and dynamic loadings, and the effect of passive resistance through soil support reaction. The three basic phases of the research programs are considered: (1) Field casing investigations; (2) Passive soil resistance investigations; and (3) Laboratory investigations on 8 in., 12 in., and 24 in. pipelines. Included is a bibliography on pipeline crossings of railroads and highways.