The Influence of Passive Dynamic Loading on the Performance of Buried Pipelines in Sandy Slopes

This research paper presents an experimental investigation to study the response of buried pipes within a soil slope subjected to dynamic loading. The study delves into the impact of slope angle, pipe distance from slope crest, and burial depth on the pipe displacement and deflection. In the past, solutions were not developed on the effect of passive cyclic loading on sandy slopes, where the buried pipe is loaded at a moderate distance away from the pipe location. The pipe displacement will not be directly attributed to the effect of dynamic loading but by the lateral movement of the surrounding soil. Pipes were placed at the slope’s crest, middle, and toe sections. The results showed that the pipe placed in the middle of the slope experienced more displacement. The spring line part of the buried pipe consistently experienced the highest horizontal strains in all three crests, middle, and regions. Shallow and deep-seated soil movements were observed in the experiments conducted for this study. Moreover, shallower pipes with shallow failure surfaces produced significant pipe displacement at the toe and middle sections. However, a deeper failure surface at the crest region resulted in the maximum pipe displacement. Strain measurement showed a minimal variation between horizontal and vertical strain readings for different slope angles, and vertical strain showed an inconsiderable effect. The authors studied the effect of burial depth and setback distance on pipe horizontal displacement. The findings revealed that failure surfaces deepen with burial depth, influencing the horizontal displacement trends. Pipes buried at greater depths experienced lower displacement at the toe but increased displacement at the crest due to passive lateral pressure redistribution. Cross-sectional strain analysis showed that the spring line consistently experienced the highest horizontal strain, highlighting its vulnerability under cyclic loads.