Distinct element analysis of soil-pipeline interaction in sand under upward movement at deep embedment condition

The distinct element analysis of the soil-pipeline interactions in sand under upward movements at deep embedment conditions is undertaken. Available analytical solutions provide a wide range of predicted peak dimensionless forces and there is limited information regarding the transition of the peak dimensionless force from shallow to deep embedment conditions. Recently, finite element analysis of soil-pipeline interactions at deep embedment conditions has been performed. In the current study, distinct element analysis is employed to reinvestigate this problem because it is considered that the distinct element analysis may give more accurate results due to its discontinuous nature which more closely simulates sand behavior. The obtained results are compared with the previously published results and it is found that the results from distinct element and finite element are consistent except for the case of dense sand at deep embedment. The possibilities of the discrepancy are discussed.