Lateral force-displacement response of buried pipes in slopes

A series of full-scale experiments were conducted to estimate lateral soil constraints on the pipes buried in dense sandy slopes at different burial depths. The experimental data indicated that the soil force on the pipe increases with increasing the slope grade and burial depth ratio. The lateral soil force versus relative pipe displacement response observed from the experiments is presented and compared to those arising from level ground conditions. The study was extended to larger burial depth ratios by simulating pipes under sloping ground conditions using a numerical (finite element) model that was initially calibrated using the results from physical modelling. The findings from the study in terms of the variation of peak lateral soil restraint as a function of the slope grade and burial depth ratio are presented for consideration in pipeline design.