Short-term and long-term behaviors of buried corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes

This study evaluated the short-term and long-term soil–structure interactions of buried corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes using the finite element method and soil models. Predictor equations for arching factors, deflections, and maximum wall stresses of the corrugated HDPE pipes were formulated using numerically generated data from soil–structure models. The new predictor equations were then compared with existing methods in order to assess their validity and applicability. Of particular interest were the considerable differences revealed in the fundamental mechanics of the short-term and long-term performance of buried HDPE pipes. Earth loads were found to be significantly affected by time-dependent material properties and interface conditions, while the deflections were not affected significantly by these factors.