Study of Nonuniform Bedding Support Because of Erosion under Cast Iron Water Distribution Pipes

Several recent studies have investigated failure mechanisms for cast iron water pipes. These studies have primarily focused on the adverse effects of corrosion, frost, reactive backfill, and earthquakes. It appears that leaking pressure pipes can produce erosion voids under the buried structure. In this paper, a parametric study employing three-dimensional finite-element analyses is used to examine buried, continuous, cast iron water pipes. The...