IMPROVEMENT OF PIPELINE SETTLEMENT USING MICROPILES
ABSTRACT
Loose sand soil is one of the problematic soils and according to that, buried pipelines interact with the loose sand soil. Also, pipelines are subjected to additional stresses transmitted by the settlement of the loose sand soil which increase stresses and displacements in the pipes and eventually leading to breakage. therefore, using micro - piles to improve soil below pipeline is important. Plaxis 3D numerical analysis software was used to investigate numerically the improvement of soil behavior below pipeline Micro-piles were installed as a cross piles configuration below pipeline and as a confining setup. Parameters studied are piles spacing, piles diameter, length and effect of water. Pipeline was subjected to surface loads from fully loaded truck. It was found that using micro-piles decreases considerably the settlement of pipelines resting on loose sands.
Keywords: Loose Sand, Pipelines, Settlement, Improvement, Numerical Analysis,
Plaxis 3D, Cross Piles, Confined Piles