Experimental validation of a model for seismic simulation and interaction analysis of buried pipe networks

A finite-element model is established to evaluate the seismic responses of buried pipe networks. In the model, pipes are simulated as beams on elastic foundation, the joints of the segmented pipes are modeled by axial and rotational springs, and the pipe-soil interactions are simulated by springs. The seismic wave acts on one end of the soil springs to induce the seismic responses of the pipe networks. The test results of a buried pipe network subjected to an artificial earthquake is adopted as benchmark to validate the model. The tested pipe network has a size of 24 m×24 m and consists of ductile cast iron and welded steel pipes. The artificial earthquake is produced by 30 kg of TNT explosives. Two important responses are compared, i.e., the joint deformations of the ductile cast iron pipes and the strains of the welded steel pipes. Results indicate that the model can evaluate the seismic responses of the buried pipe networks well. The pipe interactions are analyzed using the model by comparing the seismic responses of the single pipe and its counterpart in the pipe network.