Geotechnical Assessment of Differential Settlements Under Asymmetric Loading: Implications for Pipeline Performance

Industrial tanks are key components of process plants. However, they are highly susceptible to foundation settlement under high operating loads. Therefore, reducing settlement is necessary to protect the tank and the associated piping. In this work, Finite Element Method (FEM) analyses were conducted to assess the effects of construction on adjacent pipelines in an industrial plant located on the eastern coast of Sicily (Italy). The biological basin has a longitudinal axis of symmetry and consists of two tanks. The geotechnical model was developed from geological and geotechnical investigations carried out in the investigated area. PLAXIS2D software (Bentley Systems) was employed to perform consolidation analyses. The findings show that the magnitude and application of loads play a key role in the estimated settlements, demonstrating the importance of including the load eccentricity in the analysis. The influence zone following the construction of the biological basin was derived to evaluate the potential impact on adjacent pipelines.