Design Guidelines for Polyethylene Pipe Interface Shear Resistance
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 6
Abstract
Polyethylene pipes are commonly used in pipeline systems. Current methods used to determine the pipe pullout capacity do not consider the effects of diameter changes and cyclic movements that the pipelines may experience. Laboratory tests were performed to study the interface shearing resistance of polyethylene pipes under varying conditions. The tests were performed in a temperature-controlled room, where properties were investigated for thermal variations expected in the field. Two types of tests were performed: pull/push tests and cyclic tests. Test results indicated that reductions in pipe diameter affect the interface shear resistance that develops between the pipe and soil. As the pipe diameter gets smaller, the normal contact stresses at the interface decreases, causing a reduction in the interface shearing resistance directly proportional to the normal stress changes. Cyclic pipe movements also cause significant reduction in pipe pullout resistance. The test results indicated that the polyethylene pipe interface shear resistance can be significantly lower than the one determined using the current methods. This paper presents the test results, findings, and design recommendations for the pullout resistance of buried polyethylene pipes.
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Acknowledgments
The funding for this study was provided by the Gas Research Institute, Brooklyn Union Gas Company, and Consolidated Edison of New York. The assistance and support provided by them are greatly appreciated. Special thanks are extended to Professor Thomas D. O’Rourke for his assistance and input during the research. Mr. Timothy K. Bond’s help with the instrumentation and testing is also greatly appreciated.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 6 • June 2009
Pages: 809 - 818
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Oct 10, 2007
Accepted: Oct 1, 2008
Published online: May 15, 2009
Published in print: Jun 2009
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