• Swetha Susan Shibu
• Swapna Thomas

Underground utility pipes form a complex network in urban areas. These buried structures are often subjected to damage and deformation due to repeated traffic loads. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficiency of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam and combination of EPS with geogrid in protecting the buried pipes i.e., the suitability of the reinforcements to offer significant load bearing capacity and in reducing the strain on the pipes. A series of plate load tests were conducted on PVC pipes buried in unreinforced condition and reinforced with EPS of varying densities (15, 20 and 30 kg/m3) and a combination of both EPS and geogrid. The vehicle tyre contact pressure was simulated by applying pressure on top of the bed with the help of a steel plate. The depth of placement of pipe was varied between 1B to 2B (B is the width of the steel plate). The load carrying capacity increased from 50% to 90% with an increase in density of EPS from 15 to 30 kN/m3. The maximum load carrying capacity was observed with the combination of EPS and geogrid with an increase of 20% when compared to using EPS reinforcement only. As the depth of the pipe increases, the settlement increases and the bearing capacity decreases in all the cases. Compared to unreinforced condition, 34% reduction in strain was obtained when the bed was reinforced with EPS 30 and a reduction of 48% when the combination of EPS with geogrid was used as reinforcement.

utility pipes, Expanded Polystyrene Geofoam, Geogrid, plate load test, strain

"Experimental Investigation on The Efficiency of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam and Geogrid in Protection of Buried Pipes under Static Loading ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.429-433, May 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRCV06094.pdf

"Experimental Investigation on The Efficiency of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam and Geogrid in Protection of Buried Pipes under Static Loading ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp429-433, May 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRCV06094.pdf