Soil–Structure Interaction Analysis Using the Finite Element Method in Thin-Walled Steel Pipes Buried under Haul Roads

This paper addresses the challenges associated with steel pipes used for transporting liquid fluids within buried sections of mining facilities, specifically in areas with heavy mining vehicles. While existing design standards, such as AW-WA M11, and manufacturer recommendations largely consider loads from vehicles like the AASHTO HS20 or Cooper E-80, both weighing below 35 tons, these guidelines inadequately represent the actual loads experienced on certain mining roads, notably those accommodating heavy vehicles, like haul roads. The research presented here focuses on the interaction between soil and buried steel pipes under the substantial loads exerted by mining vehicles with a maximum gross load of up to 612 tons, inclusive of hauled material weight. Utilizing a parametric study with the finite element method, the paper identifies critical variables influencing efforts and deflections calculations in these facilities. The analysis of 108 models, varying parameters related to trench pipe installation conditions, offers insights that empower designers to refine soil trench parameters in mining facilities, mitigating pipe failures and optimizing installation costs. Ultimately, the key influential variables affecting pipe deflection and stress are identified as the trench backfill height and the elasticity modulus of the trench lateral fill.