Experimental Study of Earth Loads on Rigid Pipes

Abstract

Standards are available to estimate the vertical earth loads induced on pier or pile‐supported rigid pipes subjected to settling backfill. There is no apparent direct field evidence to support existing design procedures. Therefore, an experimental program was undertaken to check these procedures. A small‐diameter steel pipe was placed in a prepared bed of dry sand and the sand was permitted to settle with respect to the stationary pipe. Both soil loads and relative movements were recorded and it was found that existing procedures significantly underestimate the induced soil loads, particularly at high depths of cover. Only small relative movements are required to mobilize peak loads. Alternative methods of predicting soil loads are also recommended.