NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- State of the Art of Buried Lifeline Earthquake Engineering.
- File
- PB291601.pdf
- Author(s)
- Wang, L. R. L.; O'Rourke, M. J.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Applied Science and Research Applications., January 1977, 17 p.
- Abstract
- State-of-the-art information is presented on the behavior and design of buried water/sewer lifelines subjected to earthquakes. Pipeline failure mechanisms observed from the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, the 1964 Alaska Earthquake, and various earthquakes in Japan are considered in a tabular format. Eight current design practices and considerations are outlined and grouped into three general classifications: Reducing the earthquake hazard by placing the pipelines, if possible, away from active faults, steep hillsides and poor soil sites; designing a flexible pipeline system by selecting ductile pipeline material and/or flexible joints; and providing 'fail safe' systems at locations where damage is anticipated. Design criterion/code provisions and analysis procedures are discussed. From a review of pipeline damage, some general conclusions are made.
- Keywords
- Earthquake resistant structures; Failure; Subsurface structures; State of the art; Sewer pipes; Reprints; Earthquake engineering; Water pipelines; Pipelines; Design criteria; Earthquakes