NEHRP Clearinghouse

Title
Seismic Analysis and Design of Buried Pipelines (Seismic Vulnerability, Behavior and Design of Underground Piping Systems).
File
PB80141260.pdf
Author(s)
Wang, L. R. L.
Source
National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Engineering and Applied Science., August 1979, 17 p.
Abstract
Analysis procedures and design criteria for buried pipeline systems to resist earthquakes are described. Increasing attention is being devoted to the earthquake damage of buried pipelines because of the impact of disturbed conveyor systems on the citizenry during and after major earthquakes. These involve loss of fire fighting capability, disruption of energy transportation, and disease hazard resulting from damage to water, oil or gas, and sewer/pipelines respectively. To evaluate the adequacy of existing systems and improve the design of future systems, 'Simplified Analysis' and 'Quasi-static Analysis' approaches are presented for use in computing pipe strains and relative joint displacements due to seismic ground shaking. Related parameters to fulfill analysis requirements are described. Both active and passive design procedures and considerations to reduce seismic damage of buried pipelines are presented. The most important factor in designing buried pipelines is ductility or flexibility which permits buried pipelines movement with ground displacement.
Keywords
Seismic design; Earthquake resistant structures; Subsurface structures; Seismic risk; Earth movements; Dynamic response; Ground motion; Earthquake engineering; Soil properties; Pipelines; Design criteria; Dynamic structural analysis