3D Numerical Modeling of Metal Pipe in Enkoping Case Study

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a 3D numerical modeling analysis of a corrugated metal pipe (CMP) consisting of corrugated flexible metal sheets, with backfill layers carefully compacted around and above the pipe. The analysis focuses on a large diameter CMP in a case study in Enkoping, Sweden. The numerical analysis uses the finite element program PLAXIS 3D. Field measurements of the vertical deformations and internal forces are compared with calculations performed according to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) and numerical results estimated from the 3D model. In the model which is developed, the effect of the behavior of the soil surrounding the pipe is represented by utilizing two common constitutive material models, the Mohr-Coulomb (MC) model and the linear elastic (LE) model, with and without compaction effort. This paper presents an initial phase of a larger study that will include additional sophisticated material models.