Three-Dimensional Seismic Response Analysis of Buried Continuous or Jointed Pipelines

Abstract

This paper presents a three-dimensional quasi-static analysis of continuous or jointed pipelines. Transfer Matrix Method was applied to the analysis providing for nonlinear behaviors of joints and soil frictions. An improved computer program ERAUL-II (Earthquake Response Analysis of Underground Lifelines-II) was developed for numerical computations. First, numerical response analyses were carried out for three-dimensional pipe systems with steel or cast iron pipe materials subject to large ground deformations or seismic ground motions. Analytical results show that torsional properties of pipes are also important factors for seismic behavior, which cannot be known by two-dimensional analyses. Second, experimental test data of three-dimensional steel pipe systems were simulated by using the ERAUL-II program. Simulated results agree well with the experimental values.