This paper examines the ability of the CANDE-2007 (a two-dimensional finite element program) analysis software to predict pipe deflections. High density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes were recently tested in a soil test cell at Utah State University and pipe deflections as a function of equivalent soil depth of fill were measured. Tests were run at three different soil compactions; 95%, 85%, and 75% standard Proctor. Simulations of these testswere also completed using the program CANDE-2007. To further examine thepredictive accuracy of CANDE, a computer program named PIPE5 was also used to examine the predicted behavior. The soil used in the actual tests isdescribed as a silty-sand. Typical SM soil property values were used in the simulations. Comparisons of measured and predicted data are examined.The results show that relatively good agreement occurs with the highly compacted soil but agreement is less accurate at low compaction levels. CANDE and PIPE5 give nearly identical results.
Samenvatting