This project evaluated the force-displacement response of buried pipelines under saturated sand and clay conditions under lateral loading. This research was full scale. A review of accepted methods of offshore pipeline/soil interaction analysis, especially pertaining to mudslides and earthquake-related hazards was conducted.
The test tank was reconfigured and the loading actuator was modified to do the pipe testing. The pipeline array was designed and manufactured to incorporate displacement transducers inside the pipe for measurement of curvature and ovalization during testing. The objective of the first test was to assess the flexural behavior of a buried pipe during bending induced by lateral loading. During the test, the pipeline longitudinal profile, pipe ovalization, associated soil deformations and pipeline forces under the applied loads were made. During the next period, this data was compared with a FE analysis of the loading event. This project was delayed for four months due to the need to use the test facility on other projects. A no-cost time extension was issued to cover that period. During the next period, this data was compared with a FE analysis of the loading event.