NEHRP Clearinghouse

Title
Earthquake Resistant Construction of Gas and Liquid Fuel Pipeline Systems Serving, or Regulated By, the Federal Government.
File
PB94161999.pdf
Author(s)
Yokel, F. Y.; Mathey, R. G.
Source
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC., July 1992, 77 p.
Identifying Number(s)
NISTIR-4795
Abstract
The vulnerability of gas and liquid fuel pipeline systems to damage in past earthquakes, as well as available standards and technologies that can protect these facilities against earthquake damage are reviewed. An overview is presented of measures taken by various Federal Agencies to protect pipeline systems under their jurisdiction against earthquake hazards. It is concluded that the overall performance of pipeline systems in past earthquakes was relatively good, however, older pipelines and above-ground storage tanks were damaged in many earthquakes. Standards and regulations for liquid fuel pipelines contain only general references to seismic loads. Standards and regulations for above-ground fuel storage tanks and for liquefied natural gas facilities contain explicit seismic design provisions. It is recommended that a guideline for earthquake resistant design of gas and liquid fuel pipeline systems be prepared for Federal Agencies to ensure a uniform approach to the protection of these systems.
Keywords
Pipe joints; Building codes; Seismic design; Earthquake resistant structures; Gas mains; Soil-Structure interactions; Storage tanks; Liquefied natural gas; Design standards; Dynamic structural analysis; Earthquake engineering; Natural gas distribution systems; Piping systems; Welded joints; Pipelines; Oil lines; Lifeline systems