Tests of Buried Lifelines and Instrumentation/Communication Conduits.
Abstract
Over 100 laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the performance of buried lifeline/instrumentation conduits. The tests were of two basic types: (1) axial pullout tests of 1 in. and 1/4 in. steel conduit in a pressurized sand backfill, and (2) shear offset tests of 4 in. ductile iron and vitrified clay pipe also in a pressurized sand backfill. The pullout tests were performed to investigate conduit/backfill axial slip characteristics as a function of backfill confining pressure, conduit diameter and conduit length. A limited number of pullout tests were also performed to assess the effects of loading rate and moisture content in the backfill. The behavior was evaluated in terms of pullout force vs. slip displacement measured at the far end of the conduit. These results indicated a straight line relationship between pullout load and backfill confining pressures up to confining pressures of 4 MPa. Computed coefficients of sliding friction ranged between 0.17 and 0.20 for the 1 in. conduit and 0.07 to 0.13 for the 1/4 in. conduit. Keywords include: Instrumentation Conduits; Communication Conduits; Underground Lifelines; Pullout Tests; Shear Tests; and Shear Offset.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA166111
Entities
People
- G. L. Wintergerst
- H. C. Davis
- J. L. Merritt
- K. B. Morrill