Performance Evaluation of Earthquake Resistant Ductile Iron Pipe Joints Using Combined Experimental and Numerical Method

Water pipelines are prone to failure when seismic events occur, posing significant risks to water supply systems. In recent years, innovative earthquake-resistant joint systems have emerged as potential solutions to mitigate these risks. These joint systems allow for axial movements and rotations, enhancing the pipeline’s ability to withstand ground movement. However, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms governing these jointed systems remains unclear. In addition, the understanding of the performance of the joint system simultaneously under both bending and tensile loading condition is limited. To address this knowledge gap, this study conducted a series of pipeline experiments which encompassed tension tests, four-point bending, and bi-axial tension tests, all of which were equipped with distributed fiber optic sensors capable of capturing continuous strain profiles along the pipeline. Furthermore, finite element models were meticulously constructed and validated using the collected experimental data. This integration of empirical and numerical data demonstrated a thorough investigation into the failure mechanisms of 8-in. earthquake-resistant ductile iron pipe.