Experimental-numerical study on the structural failure of concrete sewer pipes

The structural failure of round and egg-shaped sewer pipes is investigated by means laboratory experiments finite element method analyses. Two different are considered, which have an inner diameter 400 mm 500 mm, respectively referred to as R400 R500 pipes. pipe considered in this study has a horizontal vertical 600 labeled the E400/600 pipe. Sewer with these dimensions most commonly used Netherlands. In full-scale experimental tests specimens subjected biaxial loading, whereby pressure loading set equal 1/3 times loading. This condition representative embedded well-graded sandy gravel neutral earth pressure. Apart from global load–displacement behaviour, local strain response measured at various locations, indicates how applied load distributed across fracture pattern catastrophic recorded cameras placed front side specimen. fail under development 4 distinctive cracks, located top bottom pipe, halfway left right sides. also emerge top-left top-right fails lowest ultimate load, is, respectively, factor 1.16 2.25 smaller than loads FEM models accurately predict both experiments. Accordingly, model analyse sensitivity overall parameters, contact area, ratio between loads, wall thickness tensile strength, mode I toughness Young’s modulus concrete. variation parameters mimics bearing capacity decreases effects soil erosion, changes lateral pressure, biochemical degradation, ageing. knowledge obtained experimental–numerical may support decision making process on maintenance replacement systems.