Aboutupheavaland

lateralbucklingof embedded
pipelines
K. Peters

The problem of upheavalor lateral buckling of pipelinesnot only occurs naturallyfor

offshore pipelines (due to reduced soil resistanceand buoyancy forcesl, but als; for
gathering and injection lines of oil and gas production fields (see e.g. Hisham
Saadawi [1]). Theories and special purpose calculation programs for offshore lines
have been developed by Palmer et al [2, 3] and Kleveret al [4] respectively.
Palmer et al's lheory assumes elasticallypre-deformedpipelinesand is designedto
rexplicitlytake advantagefrom this assumption which is adeouate for offshorelines.
For onshore lines,directionalchanges(lateraland also verticai)are often achievedby
manufactured bends or field bends. An alternativeapproach is thereforedeveloped
suitable 1o handle the rougher onshore profiles.
Chapter 1: Theories based on the local equilibrium of forces perpendicularto the
pipe axis are discussed, especiallythe theory of palmer et al. problems concerning
the generalapplicabilityalready indicated by palmer himself (see [2,3])are revrewed.
Chapter 2: Within this chapter,the alternativeapproach is dev€loped.The specialfeatureis that the theory allows for a local lack
of soil resistancgleadingto a controlledelastic deformation.A simplifiedheuristicmodel is presentedwith the intentionto clearly
demonstratethat the theory is of second order,and that piping programsnot able to produce second order solutions may not be
used in solving Upheavalor Lateral Buckling problems.
Chapter 3: Criteria are derived for either allowabledeflectjon angles on a (Euler)buckling length in case of given soil resistances
or lor the required soil resistancesin case of given deflection angles on a buckling lengih. these criteria cin be used for profile
design or control purposes. An essentialadvantage is that, co;pared to local equilibriumtheories, the necessary knowledge
concerningthe lateral or vertical trench profile is significanflyreduced.
Chapter 4: A typical gas injection line is chosen to demonstrate an applicalion and to exhibit the quantjtative results to be
exoecled.

Theoriesrelying on local equilibrium

Let an embedded pipeline be described by its
Dimensions: n
Outerdiameter[m]
t
Wallthickness[m] I
Momentof Inertia [m{
Material: E Young'smodulus[N/m,]
Poisson's ratio
Thermalexpansioncoefficient[1,/K]
Loadduty: pressure[N/m,j
AT Temperature range[{
Soilpmperties: R Ultimatesoil resistance [N/m]
Alignmentprofile: X Cumulative chainage[m]
h(x) Heightor lateralprofile[m]

Due tothe temperature and pressureloads, and due to friction betweensoil and pipe wall a compressiverestrainingforce F*" is
generatedfor soil fixed pipeline sections:

Fresb= cATEA' + (1- 2v) pAp

o. =;(o= -(o" -")') 0)

e-^ =4I\( o_ " - a| l '

For curved lines,the restrainingforce induces a line force q(x) perpendicutarto the pipe tineaxis acting between pipetineand soil.

3R int€rnaiional- Internationat
Ediiion2006
 For moderalely rough alignments(h'(x)<<1)we may assume:

a2t,
q(x) = -:-: (x) . F.r"1. (Zl
ox-

Definition:The profile h(x) is called an "EquilibriumProlileof the First Kind" if and onty if R > lq(x)lfor each choice of x.
The well known theory of Palmeret al assumesthat the alignmentcurve is gained by elastic deformationof the pipeline. Elemen-
tary beam theory deliversthe following conditionto establishlocal eouilibrium:

- - r,".,, - er4r*rI
" I| {1*l
dx' dx" I
(3)

Definition:The profile h(x) is called an "equilibriumprofile of the Palmertype" il and only if equation (3) is fulfilted for each chojce
of x.
With respect to upheaval buckling and elastic deformationh due to pipeline weight W(x) per unit length, we have the lollowing
sDecialsituation:

El-(x) = W(x) for almostallx

I
^26 (31
R + W(x) > - Fre* gq(x)

Therefore and in the case of upheaval buckling, Palmer'sequilibrium does not introduce a tudher relief. lt is obviously always
allowed 10 lake into account the pipeline weight as a resistanceagainst upheaval buckling, also in the case of manufactured
overbends. The weight might be consideredas a pad of soil resistance.
Both types of equilibrium are "local" in the sense that for each position x the forces perpendicularto the pipe axis are balanced.
Assuming rigid-plastic soil resistancebehaviour,no pipelinedeformationis needed io achieve equilibrium.Formally.no soil resi-
stance is required in the case of a straight line. The classical buckling problem is therefor€not included, and the;xistence of a
lower limit R.h > 0 for the soil resistanceis essentialfor the validityof local theories,
The real problem is to decide upon the higher difierentialsof h(x). ldeas have been developed concerningdimensionlessdown-
load and dimensionlessimperfectionlength parametersgained for special profiletypes to characterisean altowed ,,roughness"of
a profile (see I2l and [3]). But it remains difficult to develop or control a profile wiih the help of these characteristicvilues. lt is
sometimes proposed to gain th€ ditferentialsof h by measurementsof the trench sole or pipe top respectiv€ly.lt is my opinion
that this is not a simple task due to the fact that higherorder numericaldifferentiationbased on discretevalues is an ooeration of
extreme inaccuracy.The inaccuracydemands a smooth interpolationscheme as an intermediatestep. The only interpolationof
physical significanceis cubic spline interpolationhcs which simulatesan elastic beam forced into the measured'positionsby for-
ces P" concentrated at the measuredchainagelocations.As a consequenceof the principle of minimum potential energy,t'his is
,rlhe interpolationof minimum integralcurvature.
.l-et now (x", hJ.-,. ., be the measuredprofile points:

49,,,=igu1--,"1 (4)

Especially:

:_jtss.(x)= 0 for x +xn foralln

(5)
dx'

ThereJore,and together with (2) and (3)for a tocatequitibrium:

(6)

Equations (2) and (6) show that, for practical purposes and depending on the interpolationschem€, the palmer Equilibriumcan
'develop"
into an Equilibriumof the First Kind. The problem is attacked by Palmeret al by considering "typical,'deformations.
For an Equilibrium Ptofile of the First Kind or an elasticallypre-deformed pipeline in a trench of ihe palmer type buckling js
obviously excluded and the pipeline is fixed. The loadingvia F-.r,does not lead to any displacements.On the other hand it is;ot
always practicable to produce First Kind or Palmer equilibrium profiles for signific;ntly loaded onshore pipelines. ln general,

3R inlemational. International
Ediiion2006
 I
manufactured or field bends are involved.To deal with this problem is he intentionof the theory to be developed.In this sense it
is an alternative.tothe classical(Palmer)approach which is modelled for otfshorepipelinesusuallylaid without using manufactu-
red bends or field bends.

An alternativeapproachto upheavaland lateralbuckling

The theories as described above rely on the local equilibrium of the forces perpendicularto the pipe axis. This approach is not
practicable if nanow bends or even mitre joints are involved.ln this case, axial resistancet:y pipe bending has to
be activated.
A heuristic model
Before starting the mathematicalapparatus,the mechanismseffective in building up axiat resistanceagainst buckling are shown
for a simple heuristic model- This simplitied model is also meant to clearly demonsiratethat the approich proposedis based on
the equilibriumfor deformed structures. Bewarethat only those piping caiculationprogramsmighi be used to attack upheavalor
lateral buckling which are able to produce second orderiolutioni
ie.g-.[4-6]).

Fig. l: Heuristicmodel of an upheavalo. lateralbuckling configuration

P representsthe soil resistance,the rotationalspring S the inherentpipe stiffness.By assuming

P < F*" . 9(h) (t)

a potential buckling situation is described. lt is presupposedthat the spring S is relaxedfor the height h (e.g. if
e(h) representsa
manutacturedlateral bend or overbend).
To produce an equitibriumsituation,a displacementDh must necessarilyoccur.lf ah representsan equilibrium,the principleof vir-
tual work delivers the following condition (6 a virtual displacement):

0 = 2F,""1.
Lf"-r-c,F4T]
L'
(8p
-"
[(*(^
. an. o)- ,o(r,
. a$ - e(n))(,{n . *'))l- eo
For modestly rough proJiles(h<<U2) we may assume jn linearapDroximation:

1v'
4h 4(h * oh) 4(h r Ah + 6)
(e)
e(h) I
q(h + Ah) = '' -
,(h * or' . o)
L L

Therefore(see (8) and (9));

o=r,"o,t$u-f
Tu-* 00)

rhe term -€l4h might be interpreted

as the contribution to equilibium delivered by an axial resistance!9 due to the

inherent pipe stiffness.For h=O and p-4 formula(1O)rcveatstfrat € rs theEuterbuckling force of the systemaccording to
Figurcl. L

10 3R internatronatInternatronat
Edrton 2006
 & CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERING

Feformulationof equation (10)yields:

Lh
E
' r e s l r_, j i : _ p
t^h F .^/h\-D
::: - L - :lss--i1:il---- ( 11 )
L 45-
-i-rrestr 4 5 --
-- rrestr
LL

Buckling is excluded (i.e. M is finiteand positive)if the localtack of "soit resisknce" P is limited to a length
- L < 1' = 3L. Here
Fresh
1, mean-sthe buekling tength with respeci to F*",
This is the type of theorems to be expected also for the more complex situation of an embedded line. The always existing first
4^hr 4s _
ordersolution ]' :- =Fr""tr'q(h)-P is obviouslynot sufficient(see(11))andonly usefulfor the case L << )' (a case of les-
ser interest). L L

Embedded lines
The Figure 2 below shows a possiblebuckling situationfor an embedded pipeline.R means the maximum soil resistance(rigid-

FIg. 2: Pipelineconfigurationtor possible upheavalor lateralbuckling

plastic soil behaviourassumed).As usual,F*n is the restrainingcompressiveforce.

Let r be the bending radius leadingto the deflectionangle I which is assumedto be manufactured(e.9. by a {ield bend}.
without loss of generality,we assumex{ = 0 and we define:

=1 it lxl39-l
o1x1
(12)
@(x)= g q16trw;t.

The limitr - 0 represents a mitreioint.

Forsufficientlysmallbendingradiir lhe localequilibrium a pipelinedeflectionJ is provokedon a
is violatedin anycase.Therefore,
equationis valid:
certainl€ngthL. On this length,the followingdifferential

0=R+F.".1,
4t^l . a' 4t")- Fo"t,o(x) ro,, ! (13)
l^l<

It is important to recognisethe difierencebetweenthe equations(3)and (13):

Equation (3) (i.e. Palmer's eguation) asks whlch so/ reslstanca R is needed for local equilibrium if an elastic deformation h is given.
Equation (13) asks for the elastic deformation f if the local equilibium is violated,
intotheFourier-Series:
f maybedeveloped
Dueto symmetry,

f -( x ) =!L l n - . c o s i I ! x t o rt ti x l < ! (14)

I 2
n=0

Equation (13) now allows to solve for L and lhe Fourier-coefficients An (n : 1):

1
R-: Fo.t,-9=0 or R L=Fresrr'Q (15)
L

3R international . Intemalional Edition 2006

 tF*""[T*] (16)
4r'n' | 4r'n'
----;-l----;- -. - -rrestr
tl
rlr
There are obvious interpretationsof the last two equations:
(or latenl) lorce indu-
Deflection takes place on a length L defined by the gtobat eguitibrium between soil resistanceand upheaval
ced by F@ (equation 05)). Tie Fourier-series coiverges to limited values for t(x) and t(O) > O (.e. no elastic buckling) if the

r^
bucktinglengthf =./g't' is greaterthanL (equation(l6)).
Especiatly, (15)and(16)includeEulelsbucklingtheory'
equations
I 'resv
It mioht be of some interestto look at the Fourier-coefiicientA, for r - 0

-2^ rresh Q--=

!_a.L = z (17)
|
-- ,-2
111 g1- pleo,
V

to confirmlhe full analogybetween(11)and (17).

For r. I = L all coefficientsA" vanish (see (16)).Togetherwith (15):

,=fos. * f =o (18)
R

This is the case of an Equifibrtum Profile of the First Kind (local equilibium).
Although th€re is no equation for ihe Fourier-coetficientAnthe maximum displacementAh can be evaluated.

: (1s)
-rl i |=Lo"
lt' =r1o1 - L(-rt" n" =rLorn-'
l9l L/ Ll
\-,/ n=0 n=0 n=0

The maximLim bending moment is available as:

=,,
,"*[iT^",i,-u"'
1,1"* #^.J (20)

How to use chapter 2 for design and control pulposes

As discussed above, equation (15)lends itself for the tollowing naturaluse:

t?,,'u t-",, ,
1-=: w i t h0 < r t < 1
1 Fr""u R

Equations('16)and (20)can be retormulated:

2 1 lnn I
tn -t.nl- / (22],
4 ..
"=r
I nz ,l
onznz
tr^,|.*-l
( r." )
| - 2sinl:i rrpI 2sin|,4rel
=er'"*lL--lj|{,
;;m\n^ ) (23\
lMl It-,)"".
l"=''.nnl5-'1"='
\n- l t'r' )
\

12 - Intenational
3Rinternalional Edition
2OOo
 For mitrejoints(r * 0),equations(21)and(23)deliverthe followingconservative (o-* meansthe maximumbsnding
assessment
stress):

r , , ,-l, . , . r . / r , " o ,i
, , l< r i rIl r har
lI r rha( n = r . . ,- 3 - $ n' (241
r--'o _ n, F,""r,
1412 El frn, fi n2_ q2

= *a / t : " . i = n = = o' " . e = L i - n , ' -

r i m . m a x-= D
rro *' !an2et?,n, -n, F.."n?.,n, -n,

Sincethe equations

€ ,2 t (. cos-)
).-:.-=: l1-rq.: l=el and
- z \ srntq ,/
n=1-n' rl'

i^"n' - nt^=+
ztt f'--."?.ql=0,
I sinnq /
?.,
0 o < I(eJ< 1 foro< 0,<-(i = 1,2),equations
n"u" uniqu"rolutions (z1)and(24)maybeused
to decide upon an allowabledeflectionangle q".(1,)
on a buckling length 1,il the ultimate soil resistanceR and the allowableben-
ding stress o., are given,
or
to decide upon the requiredultimatesoil resistanceR.a observingthe bending stress o"r if the detlection angte

or,I r,l onf l)

ot^,x)=-lx--l--lx+-l
dx[ 2J dx\ 2)

on a buckling length at the chainageposition x is given:

=*n'(r)=#
E*=; i' 'T,#J=?*r (25)

y --l - =f f1--. cosrnl- c"ul +F,-,. = F,""t,'q(l,x)

n' - n, 2n ( sin
rr1/ .E.q(i",x)
Da n.l
,'"{afi

Due to the fact that (25) is gained by the conservativeassumption that height defleciions mighl be reatisedalso by mitre joint6,
any reasonableinterpolationhd (x) for measuredprofile data (x", h) (e.g. cubic spline)is sufficientlor the angles e(I,x) to be avai-
lable:

e1r.x1 =!Ij4[- - +i- q* |.-- +]

=,p,n,1r,,xt e6)
dx|. 2., dx( 2)

It is worthwhile to remark the rcduced profile information employed compared to the information needed to apply local equitibium
theoies.
For th€ validity of {26),it is obviouslyto be assuredthat there is a reasonablysmall distance between measuredchainagelocati-
ons, e.g. about one or two buckling lengths.

A realisticexample
The implicationsunder(25)are especiallyusefulto controlthe As-Builtprofilesof embeddedpipelines.For onshorelines,the
heightprofileh(x)is usuallydocumented by T(op)O(f)P0pe)
measurements onceperspoot.
As an example,a typicalgas injectionlineas operatedin oil fieldsis chosen:
E = 2. 101t[N/m,l
D" = 0,273[m]
t = 0,022[m]
p = 449 lbarg]

3Rinternational
lnternational
Edition
2006
 I

AT = 6s llq
= s,s .. 106[N]
I = 17,8[m]
R = 23780[N/m]for the upwarddirection
= 1,5..103[N/m,]

€ n2 ^...F
=
*;? ;l;;t=o'40348
+1=0'4575 en

9(l,x) s 9a (1")= I.-r-: = 0,05533 = 3,17.

rrestr

As.a.turtherapplication,we might assume that a height deflection

9p,,x) of 5" . 0,0873 has been detected at a position x. We then
ask for the soil resistancerequired:

;4 ; =:-+L-=0,56015
I-n-n'-rl' Da E x)
= rt=0,3173 (28)
9(L,

F -,^/1 v\
R'"qu=r!:jllTP= 54099 [N /m]
nA

It is obvious that,-usingan appropriatecalculationtool (e.g.

Fl) able to produce e.g. cubic spline interpolationand to solve for I,
an alignmenl profile can easily be controlled with respect io e.g. upleavat Bucklingonce the table of Top-height measurements
is available(see(26),(28));or that (27) can be used to develop I profitespecification.

A concludingremark
It is wamedonceagainthatfirstordercalculations
(although profiles)
ottenusedto controlor specifyalignment arein general
not sufficient. Nevertheless,no calculalion is needed at all if bending radii r > ftsq- can be observed (locat equitibrium,see
rI
equation(l8)).Thismightbe a firsttry to specifya profiledesign.Elaborated
calculations
arethenrestriciedto specialtopotogi-
cal siluationsusingthe methodaccordingto chapters2, 3, 4 & an appropriate (secondorder)generalor specialpurposepiping
program(e.9.t4l, I51,t6l).

References
Author:
[1] H. Saadawi: "Upheaval Buckting of Gas Injection pipelines Onshore Abu Dhabi _ A Case
study" 2001 spE Middte East oit show spE 68224
[2] A.C. Palmer,C.P Ellinas,D.M. Bichards, J. cuiit: 'Design of Submarine pipelinesAgainst
_. Upieaval Buckling"- Pfoceedingsof the 22- Annual OffshoreTectrnologyConference,-1990
[3] A.C. P-almer,R.A.King:,,Subseapipeline Engineering,,.pennWeltCorpoiition, Tutsa,Oktah_ Dr. K. Peters
oma. 2004 TECHNIP Germany
GmbH,
[4] F,J.Klever,L.C. van Helvoirl,A.C. Stuyterman:"A DedicatedFiniteEtementModet for Analy- Drisseldorf
Sng.UpheavalEuckling Responseof Submarinepipelines,,.proceedingsof the 22. Annual
OtfshoreTechnotogyConference,j 990
I5l r+k ConsultingEngineers/Expert D€sign Systems b.v.: pLE-micro-CAD Tel.+49(0)21
1-6593280
lol srgma Ingenieurgeseschaft mbH: Roh12 Email:
fl WblframResearch,Inc.: Mathematica" kpeters@lechnip,qom

Visitusin Hall7, Booth1 E49