Work

Coupled ALE–Lagrangian Analysis of Pavement Damage Induced by Buried Natural Gas Pipeline Explosions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study numerically investigates pavement damage caused by explosions in buried leaking natural gas pipelines using a coupled Lagrangian–Eulerian (CLE) framework in LS-DYNA. The gas phase is described by a Jones–Wilkins–Lee-based equation of state, while soil and pavement are modeled using a pressure-dependent soil model and the Riedel–Hiermaier–Thoma concrete model with strain-based erosion, respectively. The approach is validated against benchmark underground explosion tests in sand and blast tests on reinforced concrete slabs, demonstrating accurate prediction of pressure histories, ejecta evolution, and crater or damage patterns. Parametric analyses are then conducted for different leaked gas masses and pipeline burial depths to quantify shock transmission, soil heave, pavement deflection, and damage evolution. The results indicate that the dynamic response of the pavement structure is most pronounced directly above the detonation point and intensifies significantly with increasing total leaked gas mass. For a total leaked gas mass of 36 kg, the maximum vertical deflection, the peak kinetic energy, and the peak pressure at the bottom interface at this location reach 148.46 mm, 14.64 kJ, and 10.82 MPa, respectively. Moreover, a deflection-based index is introduced to classify pavement response into slight (<20 mm), moderate (20–40 mm), severe (40–80 mm), and collapse (>80 mm) states, and empirical curves are derived to predict damage level from leakage mass and burial depth. Finally, the effectiveness of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strengthening schemes is assessed, showing that top and bottom surface reinforcement with a total CFRP thickness of 2.67 mm could reduce vertical deflection by up to 37.93% and significantly mitigates longitudinal cracking. The results provide a rational basis for safety assessment and blast resistant design of pavement structures above buried gas pipelines.

Source: Infrastructures

DOI: 10.3390/infrastructures11010010

Authors: Lijun Li, Jianying Chen, Jiguan Liang, Zhengshou Lai

Institutions: Guangzhou Metro Group (China), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Structural Response to Dynamic Loads

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172