Project #4752

Effect of Major Stress Events on Buried Pipe Service Life

$409,350
Completed
Principal Investigator
Charles
Scawthorn
Research Manager
Jian Zhang, PE, Ph.D.
Contractor
SPA Risk LLC
Asset Management
Emergency Response & Preparedness
Resilience

Abstract

The key issue addressed through this research was the effect of stress history on remaining pipe service life, particularly the effects of major stress events, such as an earthquake. This project developed an analytical framework, data, and methods to estimate remaining service life given the effects of ongoing factors (i.e., "normal" stresses, corrosion, etc.) and major stress events. There are two major research objectives included (1) develop a measure of buried pipe service life as a function of material, soil, and its corrosivity, utility practices, and other factors and (2) develop methods, data, and measures for remaining buried pipe service life when affected by a major stress event, such as an earthquake. Research Partner: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Published in 2022.

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