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Introduction to Buried Piping

! Soil Properties & Classification
! Some Principles of Soil Mechanics
! Rigid Pipe - Soil Interaction
! Flexible Pipe - Soil Interaction
Copyright 2011 @ Dynaflow Research Group
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Why burying a pipe?

Advantages of burying a pipe
! Reduces plant congestion and avoids existing above
ground obstructions.
! Allows for shorters route (fewer bends).
! Soil can be used as uniform supporting, no above
ground supports and constructions are needed.
! Protection from ambient temperature changes.
! Protection from wind loads.
! Long stretches of buried pipe act as a virtual anchor
and the need for large axial restraints or expansion
loops is eliminated.
Copyright 2011 @ Dynaflow Research Group 4

Why burying a pipe?

Disadvantages of burying a pipe
! Piping has to be designed for soil and surface loads,
which makes the stress and flexibility of the piping
more complex.
! Careful trenching and backfill is required to avoid
excessive soil settlement.
! There are some ‘uncertain’ parameters involved in
the design of buried piping.
! Identification and repair of failures is more
problematic (quality control is very important for
buried systems).
! Corrosion challenges, coathing/cathodic protection
might be required.