Upheaval Buckling Assessment Based on Pipeline Features

Abstract Upheaval buckling (UHB) is a common design issue for high temperature buried pipelines. This paper highlights some of the key issues affecting out-of-straightness (OOS) assessment of pipelines. The following factors are discussed; uplift resistance soil models, uplift resistance in cohesive soils, uplift mobilisation, ratcheting, uplift resistance at low H/D ratios and the correct methodology for load factor selection. A framework for determining ratcheting mobilisation is proposed. Further research is required to verify and validate this proposed framework. UHB assessment of three different diameter pipelines were carried out using finite element SAGE PROFILE package incorporating pipeline mobilisation and the results are compared with semi-analytical formulation proposed by Palmer et al. 1990. The paper also presents a summary of as-laid pipeline features based on projects over the past 10 years. Introduction Upheaval buckling (UHB) is a common design issue for buried pipelines when the out-of-straightness of the pipeline combined with the high axial compressive forces induced by the extreme operating conditions causes the pipeline to buckle upwards. In order to prevent upheaval buckling, the pipeline has to be buried deep enough such that the soil cover is sufficient to provide adequate uplift resistance. An out-of-straightness (OOS) assessment utilises the pipeline profile obtained from survey and appropriate soil modelling to calculate the soil or rock cover depths needed to mitigate UHB throughout the length of the pipeline. Figure 1(a) shows a typical schematic of upheaval buckling while Figure 1 (b) shows a pipeline in the field which has undergone upheaval buckling. Proper modeling of upheaval buckling requires in depth understanding of pipesoil interaction and key factors affecting buried pipeline behaviour. Uplift soil models, uplift resistance in cohesive soils, uplift mobilisation, ratcheting, uplift resistance at low H/D ratios and correct methodology for load factor selection for UHB assessment are all discussed in this paper. During pipeline Front-End-Engineering-Design (FEED), the semi-analytical formulation proposed by Palmer et al. 1990 (OTC paper 6335) has been one of the fundamental methods of assessing the required uplift resistance for the last 20 years. The feature geometry being limited to prop-type and inability to account for the pipeline mobilisation during operation are often seen as a limitation of this formulation. This paper investigates these issues and provides the results to improve the understanding of UHB with mobiliation.