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Critical Vertical Deflection of Buried HDPE Pipes

Han, Xiao
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5042-3293
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1490790838331014

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Civil Engineering (Engineering and Technology).
Profile-wall high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes are used at increasing rates to convey surface drainage under roadways. This is because these products are cost effective, easy to handle and resistant to environmental elements. The HDPE pipes are derived from a thermoplastic material and much more flexible compared to the conventional pipes made of concrete and metals. Because of this inherent flexibility and other concerns that exist with thermoplastic materials, many highway agencies in the U.S. specify a limit on the HDPE pipe’s vertical deflection. For example, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) currently imposes a threshold vertical deflection of 7.5% on all HDPE drainage pipes installed in the ground. Many other state DOTs have similar vertical deflection limits for HDPE pipes. The origin of this vertical deflection limit is not well understood in the engineering community. This study aims at locating the foundation of the threshold vertical deflection enforced by the highway agencies. In the study, different analytical methods and computer simulation models are applied to establish general guidelines concerning the critical vertical deflection for the profile-wall HDPE pipes. The analytical methods employed embrace theories of curved beams, elasticity, and viscoelasticity. In the finite element-based computer simulations, several different diameter sizes of the HDPE pipes are installed in varied installation modes and backfill materials to reflect the AASHTO Construction Specifications. The main outcome of the study makes a clear and reasonable statement about the critical vertical deflection for the commonly used thermoplastic drainage pipes.
Teruhisa Masada (Advisor)
Shad M. Sargand (Committee Member)
Kenneth K. Walsh (Committee Member)
Greg S. Springer (Committee Member)
Xiong Yu (Committee Member)
242 p.
Civil Engineering; Geotechnology
vertical deflection; HDPE pipe; AASHTO LRFD specification; CANDE; Abaqus; viscoelastic material analysis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Han, X. (2017). Critical Vertical Deflection of Buried HDPE Pipes [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1490790838331014

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Han, Xiao. Critical Vertical Deflection of Buried HDPE Pipes. 2017. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1490790838331014.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Han, Xiao. "Critical Vertical Deflection of Buried HDPE Pipes." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1490790838331014

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1490790838331014
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.