Experimental testing of the performance of pipeline ploughs

The influence of relative density and trenching depth on the pitch a pipeline plough travels at have been investigated by means of 1/50(th) scale model plough testing. Tests were performed in dry sand at two relative densities with the model plough set up to form trenches of various depths. The relationships between plough pitch and depth are presented and compared between the two sand densities. The results show that relative density and depth can have a significant effect on plough pitch with possible repercussions for plough stability and trenching depth.