PE Pipe - Pull Force and Installation Stresses (Specific Radius of Curvature)

Specific Radius of Curvature

This procedure is for designing the bore path specific using radius of curvature calculations for plastic pipe that are basically the same as discussed for steel pipe. As with steel product pipe, plastic pipe, when installed by HDD, may experience high-tension loads, severe bending, and external fluid pressures. HDD installation subjects the pipe to axial tensile forces caused by the frictional drag between the pipe and the borehole or drilling fluid, the frictional drag on the ground surface, the capstan effect around drill-path bends, and hydrokinetic drag. The pipe may also be subjected to external hoop pressures caused by the external fluid head and bending stresses. Determination of pullback forces involves the assumption of many variables and installation techniques that include:

Pipe Weight:

Pipe weight – Weight of the pipe (lbs/ft)
D – Pipe Outside Diameter (inch)
DR – Diameter Ratio (D/t)
πœŒπ‘€ = Density of water (lb/ft3)
π›Ύπ‘Ž = Specific gravity of pipe material

Pipe Exterior Volume:

Pipe Interior Volume:

Weight of Water in pipe:

(to be calculated only if the pipe is filled with water)

π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ƒβ€’π‘€π‘’π‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘ = π‘ƒπ‘–π‘π‘’π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘œπ‘Ÿβ€’π‘£π‘œπ‘™ βˆ—π‘Šπ‘€π‘’π‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘

Wweight – Weight of water (lb/ft3)

Displaced Mud Weight:

π·π‘–π‘ π‘π‘™π‘Žπ‘π‘’π‘šπ‘’π‘‘π‘Šπ‘’π‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘ = 𝑃𝑖𝑝𝑒𝑒π‘₯𝑑.π‘£π‘œπ‘™ π‘šπ‘’π‘‘π‘€π‘‘

mudwt = Weight of mud (lb/ft3)

Effective Weight of Pipe:

π‘€π‘Ž = 1.06 π‘ƒπ‘–π‘π‘’π‘€π‘’π‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘

π‘Šπ‘† = π‘€π‘Ž + π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ƒβ€’π‘€π‘’π‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘ βˆ’ π·π‘–π‘ π‘π‘™π‘Žπ‘π‘’π‘šπ‘’π‘‘π‘Šπ‘’π‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘

Hydrokinetic Force:

Thk = hydro kinetic force (lbs)
Dbh = Borehole diameter, usually 1.5.D (inch)

Straight section A-B

Friction from Soil:

π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘2 = π‘Šπ‘†πΏ1π‘π‘œπ‘ πœƒπ‘†1πœ‡π‘†π‘œπ‘–π‘™

L1 – Length of the straight section 1
ΞΈS1 – Angle in degrees from horizontal for straight section 1
ΞΌSoil – Average coefficient of friction between pipe and soil. Recommended value between .21-.3 (Maidla)

Drag Forces from Mud:

π·π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”2 = πœ‹π·πΏ1πœ‡π‘šπ‘’π‘‘

ΞΌmud – Fluid drag coefficient for steel tube pulled through bentonite mud

Tension on Section:

βˆ†π‘‡2 = |π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘2| + π·π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”2 βˆ’ π‘Šπ‘ πΏ1π‘ π‘–π‘›πœƒπ‘ 1 + π‘‡β„Žπ‘˜

Cumulative Pull Load:

𝑇2 = βˆ†π‘‡2 + 𝑇1

T1 – Pull back as the pipe enters the drill hole (lbf)

Curved Section B-C

(based on Roark’s solution for elastic beam deflection)
ΞΈC1 – Angle in degrees from horizontal for curved section 1
R1- Radius of curvature of curve section 1 (ft)
Larc1 – Length of curved section 1(ft)
E – Young’s Modulus (psi)

Friction from Soil:

π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ = |𝑁3πœ‡π‘†π‘œπ‘–π‘™|

Drag Forces from Mud:

π·π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”3 = πœ‹π·πΏπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘1πœ‡π‘šπ‘’π‘‘

Tension on Section:

Cumulative Pull Load:

𝑇3 = βˆ†π‘‡3 + 𝑇2

Straight Section C-D

Friction from Soil:

π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘4 = π‘Šπ‘†πΏπ‘ π‘π‘œπ‘ πœƒπ‘†πœ‡π‘†π‘œπ‘–π‘™

Ls – Length of straight section between bends (ft)
ΞΈs – – Angle in degrees from horizontal for straight sections between bends

Drag Forces from Mud:

π·π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”4 = πœ‹π·πΏπ‘ πœ‡π‘šπ‘’π‘‘

Tension on Section:

βˆ†π‘‡4 = |π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘4| +π·π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”4 – π‘Šπ‘ πΏπ‘ π‘ π‘–π‘›πœƒπ‘  + π‘‡β„Žπ‘˜

Cumulative Pull Load:

𝑇4 = βˆ†π‘‡4 + 𝑇3

Curved Section D-E

ΞΈC2 – Angle in degrees from horizontal for curved section 2
R2– Radius of curvature of curve section 2 (ft)
Larc2 – Length of curved section 2(ft)

Friction from Soil:

π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ = |𝑁5πœ‡π‘†π‘œπ‘–π‘™|

Drag Forces from Mud:

π·π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”5 = πœ‹π·πΏπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘2πœ‡π‘šπ‘’π‘‘

Tension on Section:

Cumulative Pull Load:

𝑇5 = βˆ†π‘‡5 + 𝑇4

Straight Section E-F

Friction from Soil:

π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘6 = π‘Šπ‘†πΏ2π‘π‘œπ‘ πœƒπ‘†2πœ‡π‘†π‘œπ‘–π‘™

Drag Forces from Mud:

π·π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”6 = πœ‹π·πΏ2πœ‡π‘šπ‘’π‘‘

Tension on Section:

βˆ†π‘‡6 = |π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘6| + π·π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”6 – π‘Šπ‘ πΏ1π‘ π‘–π‘›πœƒπ‘ 12 – Length of the straight section 2

ΞΈS2 – Angle in degrees from horizontal for straight section 2

Cumulative Pull Load:

𝑇6 = βˆ†π‘‡6 + 𝑇5

Total pull load of the pipe:

π‘‡π‘‘π‘œπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘™ = βˆ†π‘‡2 + βˆ†π‘‡3 + βˆ†π‘‡4 + βˆ†π‘‡5 + βˆ†π‘‡6

Ttotal – Total pull load of the pipe (lbf)

Bending Strain:

R = 40 D

Bending Stress:

π›Ώπ‘Žπ‘–π‘› = 𝐸24.πœ€π‘Žπ‘–π‘›

π›Ώπ‘Žπ‘’π‘₯ = 𝐸24.πœ€π‘Žπ‘’π‘₯

E24 = 24 hr-Apparent Modulus of Elasticity (psi)

Allowable Tensile Stress:

Ξ΄sp – Allowable/Safe Pull Stress (psi)

Tensile Stress at Point A:

Tensile Stress at Point B:

Tensile Stress at Point C:

Tensile Stress at Point D:

Tensile Stress at Point E:

Tensile Stress at Point F:

Breakaway Links Settings:

Static Head Pressure:

𝑃𝑒π‘₯𝑑 = πœŒπ‘€β€’π›Ύπ‘β€’π»

H = depth of the bore profile (ft), usually the depth of the horizontal section

Maximum Pressure During Pull back

π‘ƒπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘₯ = 𝑃𝑒π‘₯𝑑 + β„Žπ‘¦π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘ π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’

Ovality Compensation Factor:

Buoyant Deformation:

f0 – Ovality compensation factor based on % of Deflection

Tensile Reduction Factor:

Critical Collapse Pressure:

Safety Factor:

Input Parameters

Elevation Profile:

  • Create Profile
  • Pipe Entry
  • Pipe Exit

Drill Path/Borehole Design:

  • Downslope: Straight Section A – B (Vertical)
    • Pipe Entry Angle A – B [degree]
    • Measured Length [ft]
  • Downslope:
    Curved Section B – C (Vertical)
    • Bend Angle B – C [degree]
    • Radius of Curvature B – C [ft]
    • Measured Length [ft]
  • Straight Section C – D (Horizontal)
    • Horizontal Angle[degree]
    • Measured Length [ft]
  • Upslope: Curved Section D – E (Vertical)
    • Radius of Curvature D – E
    • Measured Length [ft]
  • Upslope: Straight Section E – F (Vertical)
    • Pipe Exit Angle[degree]
    • Measured Length [ft]

*The design changes based on borehole design (section configuration)

Pipe Properties:

  • Pipe Type
  • Select Inlet Pipe Size (in)
    • Pipe Outside Diameter (in)
    • Pipe Wall Thickness(in)
  • Standard Dimension Ratio (DR)
  • Long Term Modulus of Elasticity (psi)
  • Poisson’s Ratio
  • 24 hr. Modulus of Elasticity
  • Allowable Safe Pull Stress (psi)
  • Coefficient of Friction: Pipe – Rollers (0.1)
  • Pipe Filled with Water (Y/N
  • Pipe Above Ground Section of Roller (Check Box)
    • Angle of pipe Above Ground on Roller (Β°)
    • Pipe Section Above Ground on Roller (ft.)
  • Specific Gravity of Pipe Material

Water and Mud Properties:

  • Mud Weight (lbs./gal)
  • Water Weight(lbs./ft3)
  • Hydrokinetic Pressure
  • Coefficient of Friction: Pipe – Soil (0.1 – 3)
  • Fluid Drag Coefficient (Recommended (0.01)

Borehole:

  • Borehole Diameter (in)

Outputs/Reports

Results:

  • Effective Submerged Weight
  • Bending Strain
  • Bending Stress
  • Pull Load Section on Rollers – Pipe Entry
  • Pull Load Straight Section A-B
  • Pull Load at Point B
  • Pull Load Curved Section B-C
  • Pull Load at Point C
  • Pull Load Straight Section C-D
  • Pull Load at Point D
  • Pull Load Curved Section D-E
  • Pull Load at Point E
  • Pull Load Straight Section E-F
  • Pull Load at Point F
  • Total Pull Load
  • Allowable/Safe Tensile Stress
  • Axial Tensile Stress at Point A: PASS
  • Axial Tensile Stress at Point B: PASS
  • Axial Tensile Stress at Point C: PASS
  • Axial Tensile Stress at Point D: PASS
  • Axial Tensile Stress at Point E: PASS
  • Tensile Stress at Point F: PASS
  • Breakaway Links Settings
  • Static Head Pressure
  • Maximum Pressure During Pullback
  • Ovality Compensation Factor
  • Tensile Reduction Factor
  • Critical Collapse Pressure
  • Safety Factor Against Collapse

Related Links

Horizontal Directional Drilling Plastic Pipes