Pipe Failure
Pipe Failure
(OP)
We have a developer that built an embankment that has failed. Near this embankment, we have a buried 48" pipeline. The line is welded steel carrying municipal water. The question I have been asked is when will the pipe fail due to erosion. I have performed a simple beam analysis using the weight of the pipe and water. The pipeline is in a hillside that is quickly eroding away. What is the best approach to estimating how much soil can erode away? I'm not sure what impact deflection of the pipe will have on failure. This is obviously an emergency so there is no time to do ASME analysis of the piping. Does anyone have a quick a dirty hand calc to approx this?





RE: Pipe Failure
RE: Pipe Failure
Can the municipal supply be shut off ahead of time to reduce the weight? If the answer is no, then what are they going to do after the failure?
What is the damage that will occur after the failure?
What support can be temporarily supplied as the line is exposed for support until permanent bridging can be re-established?
Can the source of erosion be diverted to alleviate the problem?
You have many more questions that need to be addressed now, not just how long can we stand and watch it until we are into the secondary trouble.
RE: Pipe Failure
RE: Pipe Failure
Depending on those answers, you may be able to drive/drill some h-piles in place and weld some pipe supports to give the pipe a chance.
RE: Pipe Failure
RE: Pipe Failure
In the US, it is illegal to cause unmitigated accelerated erosion. So whoever did that has to mitigate the damage.
Engineering is the practice of the art of science - Steve