Pipe loading in agricultural fields

[jammer45]

We're rehabbing a large diameter force main that in some areas runs through agricultural fields at a fairly shallow depth (3-4 feet to top of 36" pipe). We understand from a grain trailer manufacturer that they are designing their largest trailers for axle loads of up to 60,000 pounds. This is nearly an E-80 railroad loading. Does anyone have any suggestions for designing for wheel loadings on buried pipes in agricultural fields?

 

[BigInch]

Typically that still means no more tire load than usual, as they will use more tires for that larger weight. Of course even carrying normal truck tire loads or anything else will depend on the quality of your backfill. 4 feet is usually enough even for relatively thin walled gas pipelines across agricultural land, 3 ft clear is the usual practice, unless the farmer added a special condition to the RoW contract requirement, or its a farm road crossing, where 4 feet is typical.

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[stanier]

Suggest you buy Australian standard AS 2566.1 from

http://www.saiglobal.com.au.

the design parameters are set out there. Of course you could get the AWWA std or other.

Books include Structural Design of buried pipelines by Watkins or Buried Pipelines by Moser.

Some product companies have internet based software. Try Iplex pipelines or Amiantat.