Centrifuge Modelling of Pipeline-Soil Interaction in Calcareous Sand

Previous research work on modelling pipe-soil interaction has been focused on pipelines in terrigenous sands and clays of the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The foundation response in such soils is very different from that in the calcareous sediments that predominate off the coast of Australia. An investigation into pipeline/soil interaction in calcareous sediments conducted on a centrifuge is presented in this paper. A total of 25 model tests were undertaken on a segment of pipe modelling a 1 m diameter prototype pipeline shallowly embedded in four uncemented calcareous sand samples. The test facility, experimental program and test results are described. The effects of the loading history, the installation method and the depth of embedment are discussed.