Pipe line for the water supply and/or drainage is one of the most important life lines which is usually suffered from the damage due to exterior load induced deformation and due to the lack of support resistance provided by the surrounding soil. GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Plastic) pipes are generally thinner, lighter, but stronger than the existing concrete or steel pipes, and it is excellent in stiffness/strength per unit weight. In this study, we present the result of field test for buried RPMP (Reinforced Polymer Mortar Pipe) and RTRP (Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Pipe) pipes with 2,400mm diameter. The vertical and horizontal ring deflections are measured for 387 days. The ring deflection of RPMP and RTRP measured by the field test is compared with the ring deflection limitation (5%) according to ASTM D 2412.

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.

Recently, underground pipes are utilized in various fields of applications such as sewer lines, drain lines, water mains, gas lines, telephone and electrical conduits, culverts, oil lines, etc. 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 pertaining to the structural behavior of glass fiber reinforced thermosetting polymer plastic (GFRP) flexible pipes buried underground. The mechanical properties of the GFRP flexible pipes produced in the domestic manufacturer are determined and the results are reported in this paper. In addition, ring deflection is measured by the field tests and the finite element analysis (FEA) is also conducted to simulate the structural behavior of GFRP pipes buried underground. From the field test results, we predicted long-term, up to 50 years, ring deflection of GFRP pipes buried underground based on the method suggested by the existing literature. It was found that the GFRP flexible pipe to be used for cooling water intake system in the nuclear power plant is appropriate because 5% ring deflection limitation for 50 years could be satisfied.