GRP pipe (Glass-fiber Reinforced Plastic Pipe) lines making use of FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) are generally thinner, lighter, and stronger than the existing concrete or steel pipe lines, and it is excellent in stiffness/strength per unit weight. In this study, we present the result of field test for buried GRP pipes with large diameter(2,400mm). The vertical and horizontal ring deflections are measured for 387 days. The short-term deflection measured by the field test is compared with the result predicted by the Iowa formula. In addition, the long-term ring deflection is predicted by using the procedure suggested in ASTM D 5365(ANNEX) in the range of 40 to 60 years of service life of the pipe based on the experimental results. From the study, it was found that the long-term vertical and horizontal ring deflection up to 60 years is less than the 5% ring deflection limitation.

Glass fiber reinforced thermosetting polymer plastic (GRP) is widely used in the construction industries due to the advantages of their superior mechanical and physical characteristics. Most of pipes are installed for long-term purposes and they should be safely installed in consideration of installation conditions because there are unexpected various terrestrial loading conditions. In this paper, we present the result of investigation for 253 days pertaining to the structural behavior of flexible pipes buried underground. From the buried test results, we predicted long-term, up to 60 years, ring deflection of GRP pipes buried underground based on the method suggested by the existing literature. It was found that the GRP flexible pipe is appropriate because 5% ring deflection limitation of 60 years could be satisfied.

Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) pipes buried underground are attractive for use in harsh environments, such as for the collection and transmission of liquids which are abrasive and/or corrosive. In this paper, we present the result of investigation pertaining to the structural behavior of GRP flexible pipes buried underground. In the investigation of structural behavior such as a ring deflection, experimental and analytical studies are conducted. In addition, vertical ring deflection is measured by the field test and finite element analysis (FEA) is also conducted to simulate behavior of GRP pipe buried underground. Based on the results from the finite element analyses considering soil-pipe interaction the vertical ring deflection behavior of buried GRP pipe is predicted. In addition, analytical and experimental results are compared and discussed.

This study investigates the elastic behavior characteristics of GRP pipes reinforced with trapezoidal ribs instead of rectangular ribs. Han(2006) proposed GRP pipe reinforced with rectangular ribs in 2006, to promote buckling strength of the pipe. But it is more difficult to reinforce pipe with rectangular ribs than external corrugated ribs, because of pipe manufacturing process referred to as filament winding. Therefore, This study investigated the elastic behavior characteristics of the GRP pipe reinforced with trapezoidal ribs for simplifying analysis approach of external corrugated ribs.

GRP (Glass fiber reinforced polymer plastic) pipes are classified into flexible pipe category because of the structural characteristics of GRP pipes buried underground. Moreover, the ring deflection of GRP pipe is affected by the certain factors such as pipe stiffness, the modulus of soil reaction of backfill materials, and bedding conditions. In this study, we investigated the structural characteristics of the GRP pipes buried underground considering the soil-pipe interaction including bedding angle, pipe stiffness, and soil density used as a backfill material. From this parametric study, it was found that the soil density used for the backfill is the most important factor relating to the ring deflection of the buried GRP pipe.

이 연구에서 GRP 관의 하중-처짐 거동을 조사, 보고하였다. 지중매성 GRP관은 높은 내화학성, 높은 부식저항성, 경 량성, 관표면의 매끄러움, 지반-관의 상호작용 고려에 따른 경제성 등의 탁원한 역학적, 물리적 특성들로 인해 건설 현장에서 광범위하게 사용되고 있다. 지중에 매설되는 연성관을 설계하기 위해서는 ASTM D 2412 (2010)에 따라야 한다. ASTM D 2412 (2010)에 따라 설계할 경우, 관의 원강성 (PS)을 편평시험에 따라 먼저 결정해야 하는데, 이 시 험이 귀찮고 노동력을 필요로 한다. 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위해 UTM에 설치된 형태의 GRP관의 하중-처짐 거동 을 유한요소법에 따라 모사하였으며, 유한요소법에 의한 모사에는 재료의 탄성계수와 단면의 기하학적 치수 등 기 초적인 자료를 사용하였다. 이와 같은 연구로부터, 관재료가 관의 단면내에서 비교적 일정하지 않음에도 불구하고 수직방향의 관변형이 3%와 5%가 발생할 경우, 편평시험과 수치해석적 연구 결과가 15%이내의 차이로 하중의 예측 이 가능함을 알 수 있었다.