Review of analytical methods for stress and deformation analysis of buried water pipes considering pipe-soil interaction

Buried water pipelines are vulnerable to fail or break due to excessive loading or ground displacements. Accurate evaluation of pipe performance and serviceability relies on the proper understanding of pipe-soil interactions (PSI). Analytical methods are important approaches to studying PSI. However, a systematic and thorough literature review to analyze the existing research trends, technological achievements and future research opportunities is not available. This work investigates analytical methods that analyze the stress and deformation of pipes in terms of cross-sectional, transverse and longitudinal PSI problems. First, scientometric analysis is performed to acquire relevant research works from online databases and analyze the existing data of influential authors, productive research sources and frequent key word occurrence in the fields of interest. Second, a qualitative discussion is performed in the three categories of PSI: (1) cross-sectional, including ovalization and circumferential behaviours; (2) transverse, including seismic fault crossing, weak soil zones, ground settlement and pipe uplift; and (3) longitudinal. Third, six research opportunities are discussed, including the role of friction in cross-sectional deformation, combined effects of bending and compression, choice of soil reaction models and calibration of key parameters, effect of pipe flaws, soil spatial variability and behaviours of curved pipes. This study helps beginners familiarize themselves with PSI analytical methods and provides experienced researchers with ideas for future research directions.