Evaluation for Additional Resistance by Lightweight Thrust Restraint on Pressure Pipe Bend

Abstract

Thrust force acts on pipe bend due to internal pressure. In previous study, the lightweight thrust restraint with geogrid and anchor plate has proposed and the effect has been proved by conducting lateral loading model tests. In the present study, a series of model tests for changing depth of cover and length of restraint were carried out, and image analysis for the ground surface in the model tests were carried out to discuss the failure mechanism of proposed method. Furthermore, the failure mechanisms in front of the anchor plate were assumed and the additional resistances due to the proposed method were calculated based on the force equilibrium. In addition, in order to examine the accuracy for the proposed formula, calculated values were compared with experimental values. As the results, additional resistance from calculation was corresponding to experimental value.