Design Project for Pipeline Installation 2

[CP7]

I have some experience with pipeline projects, so I directed my focus to be towards improving some aspect of pipelines.

My focus is studying the rolling technique for faster installation below ground, and looking at ways to save costs while doing it. I have had some good progress with studying various pipeline material's characteristics, bending limits, joining types, and installation techniques.

I am finding that some areas are still very shallow for analysis and I am finding a hard time in researching relevant codes, requirements, or common practice techniques for trench planning. While areas like bedding, angle of repose, class location, burial depth, and backfilling seem to be readily available, I am coming up short on finding out how to properly plan the lateral distance of the joined pipeline on stands to the trench's edge (sounds like it may have a safety requirement), sideboom's lifting limits, and sideboom's sling with rollers' common dimensions.

I have access to some ASTM and ASME libraries, as well as Pipeline Design and Construction by M. Mohitpour. I think that the majority of what I am missing is for construction planning in regards to trench, ROW, and sideboom planning.

Can anyone please point me in the direction if there are any available resources to learn more about these topics?

Thank you in advance and I welcome any input of any type,

Cole

 

[1gibson]

Rephrase, ask about field experience. The guys out doing/supervising the work will always wonder "why in the world would anyone specify X instead of Y." Sometimes their suggestions are not feasible, but they are worth investigating and that seems to be exactly what you are asking.

 

[CP7]

I am conducting research, rather than homework solutions, towards my last design project, but also towards a professional offer that I have received following my graduation this May. I will be expanding on the same project as an EIT.

I am a mature student who has worked 2 summers as a Pipeline Engineer (Student), as well as some work in seismic exploration and residential construction. I was fortunate enough to have the idea to create my own research project and have my previous employers take notice of it, which resulted in an immediate invite back.

The difficulty at this point is finding all of the necessary resources, which sometimes are not clearly available through google, professional consultation, or from professors. I am reaching out now due to the fact that so many aspects have enforced requirements and regulations in place that must be satisfied and I would like to be thorough.

Thanks for the input so far regardless.

 

[CP7]

In terms of the lateral distance between the joined pipeline outside of the trench to the edge of the trench (or centerline of the trench), I do have two assumptions that are most likely in the right thought process.

1) It could simply be a Civil/Geotech analysis in regards to the soil type, its ability to support the joined pipeline, as well as the resistance to not collapse the nearby trench from the pipeline's weight.

2) It could be a safety requirement for onsite workers, to provide a safe width to walk down between the edge of the trench and the joined pipeline.

While it could be a mix of the two, if there is a safety requirement then it is a big requirement to satisfy.

 

[rconner]

In my opinion it doesn't hurt or anyone involved in pipeline engineering, or for that matter to be around pipe work, to also be a "competent person" with regard to ALL excavation standards. You are indeed right that what you are talking about could have safety limits or ramifications as per

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10775,

e.g. right upfront "Surface encumbrances. All surface encumbrances that are located so as to create a hazard to employees shall be removed or supported, as necessary, to safeguard employees." or later, "Warning system for mobile equipment. When mobile equipment is operated adjacent to an excavation, or when such equipment is required to approach the edge of an excavation, and the operator does not have a clear and direct view of the edge of the excavation, a warning system shall be utilized such as barricades, hand or mechanical signals, or stop logs. If possible, the grade should be away from the excavation." and/or

"Employees shall be protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations. Protection shall be provided by placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61 m) from the edge of excavations, or by the use of retaining devices that are sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations, or by a combination of both if necessary..." (and many others, you probably get the idea...)

 

[zdas04]

In cross country pipelines there is a "spoil side" and a "working side" (occasionally ROW is so narrow that you have to work on top of the spoil, but no one prefers that mode). On the working side there are basically three considerations:
[ol 1]
[li]The closer the sleepers are to the edge of the ditch, the fewer side booms you need[/li]
[li]The closer the sleepers are to the edge of the ditch, the higher the likelihood that the ditch edge will collapse[/li]
[li]The farther the sleepers are from the edge of the ditch, the more ROW is required[/li]
[/ol]

Beyond that it is just the judgement of some high school drop out laborer who sets the sleepers (knowing that if the ditch collapses he'll probably be fired). If you do find a "standard" you will also find that it is roundly ignored. In the US there is an OSHA rule that the spoil needs to be setback at least 2 ft, but if you are not working on the spoil that really doesn't apply.

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"

 

[CP7]

Thank you rconner and zdas04 for the very useful input.

Great idea to look into the standards for excavation, this is the point of assistance requested to get in the right direction with the proper terminology. Also, zdas04, those are the right kinds of points and discussion that I will be expanding on.

I will be working with US and Canada rules and practices, as my experience so far has included projects through Alaska, BC, and Alberta.

In terms of the note about laborers that may not follow the guidelines given, that is an unfortunately real possiblilty, but it does not take away from the expected quality of work that is prepared on our end. From the reports and engineering drawings that I have been involved with, all assumptions, limits, guidelines, requirements, etc. are considered and stated. I can see this being both required for quality/performance, as well as for liability purposes.

 

[CP7]

Thank you again to everyone that posted.

 

[waterpipe]

I hope you'd find it interesting to review the link below. Don't miss the other chapters as well (chap 5 for example)

http://wiki.iploca.com/display/rtswiki/6.+Earthworks

Thanks to IPLOCA (International Pipe Line & Offshore Contractors Association) for their work.