Mechanical Properties of Buried Gas Pipeline under Traffic Loads

Abstract

Dynamic loads generated by heavy vehicles are among the loads resisted by pipelines buried under road surfaces. Most recent analyses are based on static assumptions; however, in practice, vehicle loads change dynamically. In this study, the finite element model of the pipe–soil interaction of a buried pipeline was established using the ABAQUS 2020 finite element software, and dynamic loads were applied above the model soil to simulate the influence of vehicles above the highway on the buried X80 pipeline. The mechanical responses of different influencing factors to buried pipelines were analyzed. Increasing the pipe diameter and burial depth decreases the effect of vehicle rolling on the buried pipeline. The mass of the vehicle is the most significant factor that influences the stress and strain on the pipeline. The stress increase of the conventional vehicle load on the X80 gas pipeline does not exceed 10 MPa, and the maximum shape variable of the pipeline is within 13 mm. This study provides a data reference and a risk warning regarding the rolling of buried natural gas pipelines under a single vehicle load.