Mixed modelling applied to soil–pipe interaction

This paper presents a simplified approach to the study of a pipe in a geotechnical context of landslide motion. The mechanical description of the different components, the pipe and the soil, is made within the framework of the so-called “mixed modelling approach” previously used for dealing with reinforced soil structures. Upper bound estimate of non-dimensional weight loading parameter is obtained by making use of the yield design kinematic method. The class of virtual motions considered is a three-dimensional rotational failure mechanism for the slope and the pipe system. Application of the approach are presented and discussed with emphasis on identifying and optimizing some of the important factors that control the integrity of the pipe. Several conclusions are drawn regarding the pipe-slope stability problem, that of prime importance being the size of the pipe.