FE analysis of RC pipes under three-edge-bearing test: Pocket and diameter influence

This paper studies on the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) pipes used in basic sanitation in the conduction of storm water and sanitary sewer. Pipes with 800 mm and 1200 mm in diameter were analyzed. The 800 mm pipes were built with simple reinforcement and the 1200 mm pipes with double reinforcement. For the two diameters of pipes the presence or absence of the pocket was evaluated, and the denomination of each one is spigot and pocket pipe (SPP) and ogee joint pipe (OJP), respectively. The 3D numerical models reproduce the three-edge-bearing test that provides information about the strength and stiffness of the reinforced concrete pipes. The validation of the computational models was carried out comparing the vertical and horizontal displacements on the springline and crown/invert and it was also evaluated the reinforcement strains and the crack pattern. As a main conclusion, the numerical models represented satisfactorily the behavior of the pipes and can be used in future studies in parametric analysis.