Improving Structural Integrity of Buried Pipelines under Ground Movements by Reducing Strain Demand and Advanced Strain Monitoring

地面运动可能对作为加拿大关键基础设施的石油和天然气工业中广泛使用的埋地管道非常有害。虽然地面运动引起的管道故障并不常见，但它们通常会导致重大泄漏，这可能会在损害控制和清洁方面付出极其昂贵的代价，从而损害整个管道的功能，并导致重大经济损失，环境问题甚至死亡。目前的技术提供了先进的工具来确定地面运动可能性高的地区及其预期的方向和幅度。一个实用的、先进的缓解措施可以帮助管道行业一方面防止管道由于地面运动而破裂，另一方面保护环境和公众。该研究项目旨在为一种新的缓解技术提供基于测试的设计和建模工具，该技术包括在易受地面运动影响的区域内靠近管道放置的特殊类型的正交各向异性地质材料块，以防止管道因过度变形而失效。我们的研究项目集中在四个关键目标：1）使用现场测试评估在地面变形下的Geobuffer增强的埋地管道的整体稳定性和应变响应; 2）开发Geobuffer增强的埋地管道的基于力学的分析方法; 3）提出埋地管道的监测指南; 4）开发用于模拟土壤-Geobuffer-管道相互作用的数值模拟技术。为了实现这些目标，研究小组将进行现场测试，并采用先进的应变监测技术、数值建模和基于力学的分析。我们将为管道工程师的日常工作提供改进的监测、建模和设计建议，从而提高管道的安全性和可靠性，同时保护加拿大的环境。

Ground movements can be very detrimental to buried pipelines that are extensively used in oil and gas industry as key Canadian infrastructure. Although pipeline failures caused by ground movements are not frequent, they often result in major spills that could be extremely costly in damage control and clean, compromising the entire pipeline's functionality and resulting in significant economic losses, environmental issues or even fatalities. Current technologies provide advanced tools to identify areas with high probability of ground movements and their expected direction and magnitude. A practical and advanced mitigation measure can help pipeline industry to prevent pipe rupture due to ground movements in one hand and to protect the environment and the public on the other hand. This research project aims to provide test-based design and modelling tools for a novel mitigation technique, which consists of special type of orthotropic geomaterial blocks placed adjacent to the pipe in areas susceptible to ground movements to prevent pipeline failure due to excessive deformations. Our research project focuses on four key objectives: 1) evaluate using field testing the global stability and strain response of buried pipelines enhanced by Geobuffer under ground deformation; 2) develop mechanics-based analysis method for buried pipelines enhanced by Geobuffer; 3) propose monitoring guidelines for buried pipelines; 4) develop numerical modelling technique for simulating the soil-Geobuffer-pipe interaction. To achieve these aims, the research team will perform field tests and employ advanced strain monitoring techniques, numerical modelling and mechanics-based analyses. We will provide improved monitoring, modelling and design recommendations to pipeline engineers for their daily work, resulting in increased safety and reliability for pipelines while protecting Canadian environment.