A Generalized Nonlinear Solution for the Transient Dynamic Response of Continuous Buried Pipelines to Underground Blast Loadings With Shear Interaction on Visco‐Elastic Foundation

ABSTRACT Buried pipelines are highly susceptible to underground blast loads; yet, most existing analytical models overlook key factors, such as shear coupling in the supporting soil, variation in operational loads and realistic blast pressure profiles, which limit it's use in design and safety assessment. This study presents a comprehensive analytical solution for the dynamic response of buried pipelines subjected to underground blast loading, capturing realistic operational and environmental conditions. The pipeline is modelled as a continuous modified Timoshenko beam on a viscoelastic foundation with shear interaction between adjacent Winkler springs, incorporating soil overburden pressure, idealized blast loading with an exponential rise and decay, and a critical vertical loading case under pipeline running conditions. The governing equations are solved using finite Laplace transforms. Model predictions show good agreement with centrifuge model tests, three‐dimensional finite element simulations, and simplified analytical results in past studies. A parametric analysis is performed to elucidate the impact of various soil, pipe, and other influential characteristics on the peak particle strain (PPS) responses of pipelines. The current framework offers a robust and computationally efficient tool for parametric evaluation, enabling optimal, scenario‐specific design of buried pipelines and providing practical insights for mitigating blast‐induced failures.