AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY OF PIPEBURSTING IN SAND

Model tests of pipebursting operations have been carried out in a large glass-sided tank. at Loughborough University so that ground movements both along the centreline and perpendicular to the line of drive could be directly observed. The tests were conducted in two different types of dry sand, placed both dense and loose, with different cover depths and bursting ratios. Contours of both horizontal and vertical movements are presented, from which the movements in adjacent structures or services at any point within the soil mass can be deduced, Comparison of the results with published data and theoretical analyses has shown that the results can be used to predict displacements in other soils, with appropriate understanding of the properties of the soil in relation to the dry sands used. This work thus represents a major step forward in understanding the effects of pipebursting on the surrounding environment and should engender greater confidence in the use of the technique.