Soil Load per Linear Length of Pipe

Soil load per linear length of pipe, abbreviated as \(p_s\), is the amount of pressure or force exerted by the soil on a section of pipe for a specific length.  It is an important consideration in engineering, especially when designing underground pipelines or structures that are buried in the ground.  When a pipe is buried in soil, the weight of the soil above it exerts pressure on the pipe's surface.  This pressure is commonly referred to as the soil load.  The soil load per linear length of pipe is calculated by considering factors such as the density of the soil, the depth at which the pipe is buried, and the specific characteristics of the soil itself.

Soil Load is Important for Several Reasons

Structural Design  -  The soil load affects the structural integrity of the pipe.  The weight of the soil can cause stress and deformation on the pipe, which must be taken into account during the design phase.
Buckling and Deformation  -  Excessive soil load can lead to buckling or deformation of the pipe.  Proper design and reinforcement are necessary to ensure the pipe can withstand these forces.
Support and Anchoring  -  The soil load influences the design of supports, anchors, and other components used to secure the pipe.  Proper support is essential to prevent sagging, misalignment, or damage.
Safety  -  An accurate assessment of the soil load is crucial for ensuring the safety of the pipeline and its surroundings.  Overloaded pipes can lead to failures that might result in accidents, environmental damage, or disruptions in service.

The calculation of soil load per linear length of pipe involves analyzing the weight of the soil above the pipe and considering factors such as soil density, the angle of repose (the natural slope of the soil), and the depth of burial.  Different types of soil have different characteristics, so the specific properties of the soil must be accounted for in the calculations.  Overall, determining the soil load per linear length of pipe is an integral part of pipeline design to ensure the structural integrity and safe operation of buried pipelines.

 

Soil Load per Linear Length of Pipe Formula
\( W_s \;=\; \dfrac{  p_s \cdot D }{ 12 }\)     (Soil Load per Linear Length of Pipe) \( p_s \;=\; \dfrac{ W_s \cdot 12 }{ D }\)  \( D \;=\; \dfrac{ W_s \cdot 12 }{ p_s }\)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( W_s \) = Soil Load per Linear Length of Pipe	\(lbf\;/\;in^2\)	\(Pa\)
\( p_s  \) = Pressure from Weight of Soil	\(lbf\;/\;in^2\)	\(Pa\)
\( D \) = Outside Diameter	\(in\)	\(mm\)