Load reduction on buried rigid pipes below high embankments

Abstract

A full scale test with the imperfect ditch method is described. Expanded polystyrene is used as the compressible material. The material characteristics and the long term behaviour of expanded polystyrene are well known. The disadvantages of using organic material are pointed out. The experimental results show that the average vertical earth pressure on the pipe was reduced to 43 % of the overburden. The measured earth pressure is compared with results form the finite element program CANDE and from a design method that is proposed.