Comparison of predicted and observed responses of pipeline to differential frost heave

This paper describes the application of a simplified Winkler model to simulate the observed time-dependentresponses of a pipeline at Caen, France, subjected to differential frost heave. The numerical Winkler model developed for a semi-infinite beam embedded in a creeping medium was used to evaluate the response of the Caen pipeline. Despite its simplicity, the Winkler model is able to predict the overall response of deflections and stresses which compares satisfactorily with observed data. In a previous study, the same Winkler analysis was applied to small-scale model steel pipelines embedded in polycrystalline ice, and satisfactory comparisons between the predicted and observed responses were obtained. Consequently, the analyses presented in this paper serve to reconfirm that the Winkler model can also be applied to analyze large-diameter pipelines subjected to differential frost heave.Cet article d\ue9crit Ia simulation au moyen d'un mod\ue8le simplifie des r\ue9actions en fonction du temps observ\ue9es a Caen, France, d'un pipeline subissant un soul\ue8vement diff\ue9rentiel du au gel. Le mod\ue8le num\ue9rique de Winkler mis au point pour une poutre semi-infinie enfouie dans un milieu en fluage a \ue9t\ue9 utilise pour \ue9valuer Ia r\ue9action du pipelinede Caen. En d\ue9pit de sa simplicit\ue9, le mod\ue8le de Winkler peut faire des pr\ue9dictions de la r\ue9action globale des d\ue9flexions et des contraintes se comparant de fa\ue7on satisfaisante aux donn\ue9es observ\ue9es. Dans une \ue9tude ant\ue9rieure, Ia m\ueame analyse de Winkler a \ue9t\ue9 appliqu\ue9e \ue0 un mod\ue8le a petite \ue9chelle de pipelines d'acier enfouis dans de Ia glacepolycristalline, et !'on a obtenu des comparaisons satisfaisantes entre les r\ue9actions pr\ue9dites et observ\ue9es. En cons\ue9quence, les analyses pr\ue9sent\ue9es dans cet article a permis de reconfirmer que le mod\ue8le de Winkler peut aussi s'appliquer \ue0 I' analyse de pipelines de fort diam\ue8tre assujettis \ue0 du soul\ue8vement diff\ue9rentiel d\ufb au gel.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye