June 2011 Vol. 238 No. 6

Features

Bending Stresses From External Loading On Buried Pipe

The pipeline industry has long been interested in evaluating the effects of external loading due to fill and surface loads, such as excavation equipment, on buried pipes. This interest stems not only from the initial design of pipeline systems, but also from the need to evaluate changing loading conditions over the life of the pipeline. Variations in loading conditions can arise due to the construction of roads and railroads over the pipeline and one-time events in which, for example, heavy equipment must cross the pipeline. The pipeline may also suffer corrosion or damage that requires excavation and repair. Heavy excavation equipment is often placed directly over a pipeline du