JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS

JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS

Evaluation of Pipe Bursting operation on Adjacent Underground facilities Using 3D Numerical Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Vahid Gholamrezazadeh 1
Ehsan Taheri 2
1 Rock Mechanic Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran"
2 Assistant Professor, Rock Mechanics Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran"
10.22034/IRSRM.2025.526345.8998
Abstract
Underground pipelines serve as essential infrastructure for transporting water, gas, and wastewater in both urban and rural environments. As these pipelines age, rehabilitation and replacement become increasingly necessary. Pipe bursting has emerged as an effective trenchless technology for pipeline renewal, offering advantages such as reduced costs, minimal surface disruption, and enhanced safety. This study investigates the effects of pipe bursting operations on adjacent underground facilities and ground surface deformations using a three-dimensional numerical model developed in ABAQUS and validated against experimental data. The analysis examines longitudinal strains, vertical deformations, and ground movement patterns during the bursting process. The results show that maximum strains occur in adjacent pipes when the expander is in close proximity, while ground deformations transition from symmetrical to asymmetrical as the expander advances. Additionally, as the depth of buried pipes decreases, larger surface deformations occur. The findings demonstrate that numerical modeling provides an effective approach for predicting soil-structure interactions in pipe bursting projects, offering valuable insights for urban infrastructure planning and risk mitigation.
Keywords
Trenchless technology
Pipe bursting operation
Buried pipeline renovation
3D numerical modeling
Subjects
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JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS
Volume 8, Issue 4
Winter 2025
Pages 89-99