UNDERSTANDING

THE IMPACT OF PIPE

STIFFNESS ON LONG-TERM
DEFLECTIONS
BY DARRELL J. SANDERS, P.E.

I O N A L
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UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF
PIPE STIFFNESS ON LONG-TERM
DEFLECTIONS
BY DARRELL J. SANDERS, P.E.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
What is the significance of laboratory-tested pipe-stiffness
values in the field?
What are the differences between short- and long-term pipe
deflections?
What impact does pipe stiffness have on long-term pipe-
deflection levels?
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Pipe Stiffness: How Does It Translate to
Field Installations?
Pipe stiffness in the pipe industry is a
standard test that is performed on actual pipe
samples to determine their ring stiffness.
Many product specifications in the pipe indus-
try require a minimum target pipe stiffness be
achieved as a requirement for that standard.
Pipe stiffness is generally tested per the
requirements of ASTM D2412. Simplistically,
this test places a relatively short sample of the
pipe barrel between two parallel steel plates.
The plates then are drawn together at a pre-
scribed rate, thereby compressing the pipe into
an oval geometry. The pipe is deformed until
it is compressed to 95% of its original height.
The load required to compress the pipe to this
dimension is recorded and used to compute
the pipe stiffness for the pipe.
This test method describes the size of
the pipe samples to be used in the test, the
conditioning of the pipe in preparation for the
test, the equipment that should be used in the
test, the methodology that should be followed
during the testing, and how to evaluate the
results of the test to determine the reported
pipe stiffness. This is a widely followed test-
ing standard that is used for many pipe prod-
uctsprimarily in the plastic pipe industry.
The resulting pipe-stiffness values are fre-
quently discussed by engineers within the pipe
industry, but sometimes there is some confu-
sion over how stiffness values are computed
and how laboratory-measured stiffness relates
to field installations.
All index tests must prescribe the condi-
tions that would impact the results of the
tests so they are repeatable. For a pipe-stiffness
test, some of the important environmental
conditions that must be controlled to get
repeatable results are the temperature of the
test sample and the testing lab, the minimum
length of the sample, and the speed at which
the test is conducted. If any of these variables

change, then the results of the test could be altered
significantly.
The difference between laboratory conditions
and field conditions can yield significantly differ-
ent results. For instance, the pipes to be tested per
D2412 are to be conditioned in an environment with
a temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit +/- 4 degrees
and tested in a laboratory at the same temperature.
However, look at how the measured pipe stiffness of
various pipe types varies with temperature:
As the chart below shows, pipes made with
different materials react differently when tested
at higher temperatures than those used in the
laboratory. The polyethylene pipes ring stiffness
Figure 1 - Pipe Material Stiffness Chart
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decreased by approximately 49% at 120 degrees,
as compared to the laboratory-tested value.
Corrugated polypropylene had similar results,
where the ring stiffness decreased by approxi-
mately 46% at 120 degrees, compared to the
laboratory-tested value. The PVC pipe decreased
by approximately 23%. Because steel has a signifi-
cantly higher melt temperature, as compared to
thermoplastic products, the corrugated steel pipe
only lost about 5.5% of its stiffness, and the steel-
reinforced HDPE pipe was in between, with a loss
of ring stiffness of about 18.4%. This is significant
given that pipe walls can reach 140 degrees or more
in the direct sun.
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Short- vs. Long-Term Deflections
For flexible pipes, short-term deflections are
largely induced during the installation process.
Flexible pipes can be deformed by a number of
different activities during the installation process.
Pipe sections are typically bundled and shipped
over long distances to get to the jobsite. They then
are lifted off the trucks and generally stored some-
where onsite, where they are commonly lifted and
handled several more times before they reach the
location where they are to be placed.
Although normal lifting and handling doesnt
result in pipe deformations, due to the size and
power of the construction equipment used on
pipe installationsunintended deformations to
the pipes can occur. In addition, after the pipes
are placed in their final location, the backfill-
ing process begins. During this process, backfill
material is routinely dropped on top of the
largely unsupported pipes during the process.
The backfill then is typically shoveled and spread
into place so compaction can begin. Compaction
of backfill adjacent to and over pipes can result
in significant loads that the pipe has to resist.
Finally, even after the pipe is backfilled, it is
not uncommon for heavy construction traffic to
operate over the pipes before the final cover or
pavement is installed. It is routine that the loads
exerted by construction vehicles during site con-
struction exceed the loads the pipes experience
during the rest of their service life.
The resistance to deflection during handling
and installation is where the ring stiffness of
the product plays the largest role in controlling
pipe deflections. Until the pipe is supported by
the backfill envelope around it, the ring stiffness
of the pipe is the primary means for mitigating
pipe deflections.
The other significant contributor to short-term
flexible pipe deflections is the consolidation of
the soil envelope directly around the pipe. Even
compacted backfill materials typically experience
some consolidation within the first few weeks
after construction. Flexible pipes simply reflect
this consolidation through pipe deflection. In
other words, if the soils directly adjacent to a
flexible pipe move either through elastic defor-
mation of the soil mass or consolidation of the
backfill, the pipe will mirror this movement by
deflecting an equal amount.
Influence of Pipe Stiffness on
Long-Term Deflections
The resistance to long-term deflections in a
flexible pipe is a function of both the stiffness of
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the soil mass around the pipe as well as the ring
stiffness of the pipe itself. However, contribu-
tions in stiffness between the two elements
generally are far from equal. In flexible pipe
design, the stiffness of the soil embankment
surrounding the pipe is far more important in
controlling long-term deflections than the stiff-
ness of the pipe itself.
To illustrate this, a widely accepted method-
ology for predicting long-term pipe deflections
is the Iowa formula. The basis of the formula
is the fairly straightforward approach that pipe
deflections could be estimated by the following
mathematical approach:
load on the pipe
pipe deflection = X 100
pipe stiffness factor + soil stiffness factor
A modified version of the Iowa formula was
developed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
This modified formula appears as follows:
Tf0.07h + 10WL
Y(%) =
EI
+ 0.061FdE
r3
Where:
Y(%) = percent vertical deflection
Tf = time-lag factor, dimensionless
0.07 = combination of conversion factors and bedding constant, square
feet per square inch ft2/in2 per linear inch (ft2/in2 per linear
inch)
= backfill unit weight, pounds per cubic feet (lb/ft3)
h = depth of cover, feet (feet)
WL = live load, pounds per square inch (lb/in2)
E = modulus of soil reaction, lb/in2
Fd = design factor, dimansionless
EI/r3 = pipe stiffness factor, lb/in2 per linear inch
From the denominator of the equation, you
can see that pipe stiffness is dictated primarily by
the stiffness of the pipe wall (EI). The modulus
of elasticity (E) is dependent upon the material
that the pipe is produced from (HDPE, steel, etc.).
The moment of inertia (I) is dependent on the
pipe wall geometry. The soil stiffness is primarily
controlled by the modulus of soil reaction (E) of
the backfill that surrounds the pipe. This modulus
describes how the soil responds under load. The
higher the E value, the more support the soil
provides to the pipe to resist deflection. A repre-
sentative range of E values for backfill materials
is shown in Figure 2.
Using this methodology, it is possible to cre-
ate a comparison of estimated long-term pipe
deflections for pipes with various pipe stiffnesses.
Most flexible drainage pipe products have pipe
stiffnesses between 5 and 75, generally varying by
diameter and pipe material/construction. A
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Figure 2 - Embedment Material Parameters

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The chart in Figure 3 illustrates the comparison of long-term pipe deflections with varying pipe stiffnesses.

comparison of estimated long-term pipe deflections 90% or greater, even a much higher pipe-stiffness
based on a range of pipe-stiffness values is as shown pipe doesnt have a significant performance dif-
in the following chart: ference when it comes to controlling long-term
As the chart above illustrates (Figure 3), pipe deflections.
stiffness has greater impact on low-modulus soils
than it does on relatively high-modulus soils.
For a backfill material with a relatively moder-
AUTHOR
Darrell Sanders, P.E., is Chief Engineer for
ate modulus of 2,000 psi, even a 15x increase in
Contech Engineered Solutions. Darrell holds a B.S.
stiffness from 5 to 75 only increases the long-term
degree in Civil Engineering from the University
pipe deflection by approximately 1%. For a 36-inch
of Cincinnati and an M.B.A. from the University
diameter pipe, thats slightly less than 3/8 inch.
of Dayton and holds a Professional Engineering
Even for a very-low-modulus soil, a 3x increase in
license in several states. He also is a member of
pipe stiffness results in just more than the same
several industry committees, including NCSPA,
1% increase in pipe deflection.
AASHTO, ASTM and CSA. Darrell can be reached
Figure 3 shows that soil stiffness is the largest
at dsanders@conteches.com.
factor in controlling long-term pipe deflections. A
pipe with a pipe stiffness of 5 will perform simi-
larly to a pipe with a pipe stiffness of 75 in a sand REFERENCES
backfill if the density requirements are increased Fuerst, R.P., 2013. Method for Prediction of
from 90% to 95%. With the use of high-quality Flexible Pipe Deflection, U.S. Department of
fills, the influence of pipe stiffness is almost mean- the Interior Bureau of Reclamation, M-25 Second
ingless, because the difference in performance is Edition.
similar between all the pipes.
Pipe stiffness is a trait to consider when
selecting a flexible pipe. The pipe needs to have
enough stiffness to withstand the handling and
construction loads that it will be subjected to
during installation. In poorer grades of backfill,
it can have some impact on the long-term deflec-
tions of the installation. However, with the use of
quality backfill materials at compaction levels of

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UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF PIPE

STIFFNESS ON LONG-TERM DEFLECTIONS
Quiz Questions
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Long-Term_Deflections. Your score will be tabulated while you wait, and you will receive your certificate upon completion if
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1) T rue or False: In a D2412 pipe stiffness test, a pipe is 6) T rue or False: The more support the soil provides, the
generally deflected to 95% of its original height. greater likelihood for pipe deflection.
A. True A. True
B. False B. False

2) T rue or False: Temperature has little to no impact on 7) T rue or False: Pipe stiffness has greater impact on
pipe stiffness. low-modulus soils than it does on relatively high-modulus
A. True soils.
B. False A. True
B. False

3) T rue or False: The difference between laboratory

conditions and field conditions can yield significantly 8) W
 hich is the largest factor controlling long-term pipe
different results. deflection?
A. True A. Pipe Stiffness
B. False B. Soil Stiffness
C. None of the above

4) T rue or False: In most installations, backfill is dropped

evenly onto a fully supported pipe 9) T rue or False: An increase in density from 90% to
A. True 95%, allows for a pipe with a pipe stiffness of 5 to
B. False perform similarly to a pipe with a pipe stiffness of 75.
A. True
5) P ipe stiffness is dictated primarily by which of B. False

the following:
A. Moment of Inertia (I) 10) W
 hen compaction levels of 90% or greater are achieved,
B. Modulus of Soil Reaction (E) is the performance of significant high pipe stiffness still
C. Stiffness of the Pipe Wall (EI)
a major factor in design?
D. Modulus of Elasticity (E)
A. 
Yes
E. None of the above
B. 
No

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