Enhanced design approaches for rigid and flexible buried pipes using advanced numerical modelling

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Alzabeebee, Saif Imad Akoobi (2017). Enhanced design approaches for rigid and flexible buried pipes using advanced numerical modelling. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Buried pipelines are a vital element in maintaining modern life, as they provide a convenient way for transporting products such as gas, potable water, storm water and waste water. These buried structures have to resist external forces due to backfill soil weight and traffic loading. Therefore, the buried pipe needs to be designed properly to withstand these forces. However, careful examination of the current design standards showed significant issues with the existing design methodology for both rigid and flexible pipes. Thus, this research aimed to use advanced finite element modelling and novel advanced machine learning techniques (namely evolutionary polynomial regression (EPR)) to
improve the understanding and propose improvements in the design methods for buried rigid (concrete) and flexible (polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) pipes, to aid with the achievement of a more economic and robust design.
The outcomes of this research are a critical literature review, highlighting issues in the previous studies; an improved understanding of the behaviour of buried concrete and PVC pipes; novel design models for buried concrete pipes; and a novel design chart for buried PVC pipes. These design models and chart could be easily used by designers for an economic and robust design of buried concrete and PVCu pipes.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):