Protection of Pipelines and Buried Structures Using EPS Geofoam

Abstract

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam is a lightweight, compressible material that can be used to protect buried infrastructure in areas with high to moderate seismicity. This paper summarizes recent research conducted at the University of Utah regarding the seismic design and construction of EPS geosystems to improve the seismic resiliency of pipelines and buried structures, particularly at normal fault crossings. It discusses the development and verification of an EPS cover/backfill system to protect buried pipelines and other structures from potential rupture caused by permanent ground deformation (e.g., tectonic faulting, subsidence, liquefaction, land sliding, etc. Full-scale experiments and numerical modeling show that a light-weight cover system constructed, in part, with EPS block offers significant benefits in protecting buried pipelines from the damaging effects of offset caused by permanent ground deformation. The prototype EPS cover system significantly reduced the vertical uplift force and stresses imposed on the buried pipe system as it was subjected to uplift through the EPS cover system.

Original document

The different versions of the original document can be found in:

• http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4349/c972bd6dd4cacb6c83e498b2aae2f7a90524.pdf

• http://ascelibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.1061/9780784413401.054,

http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784413401.054

• https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/9780784413401.054,

https://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=1310167,

https://academic.microsoft.com/#/detail/2130538432