This study constructs a multilayered transversely isotropic saturated model under thermal and horizontally circular loads, and further investigates the model's thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling response. Firstly, the ordinary differential matrix equations of thermoelastic saturated media in the integral transformed domain are derived. Secondly, the solution for multilayered thermoelastic saturated media is developed using the extended precise integration method (EPIM), along with the boundary conditions at both ends of the foundation and the continuity conditions between adjacent layers. After that, the solution in the physical domain is further attained with the use of Laplace-Hankel integral transform inversion. Finally, the accuracy of the proposed theory is confirmed through numerical examples, and the influences of anisotropic parameters, the soil's stratification and porosity on the thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling response of the media are studied.
This paper presents an experimental study on the mechanical behavior of buried pipes subjected to thermal load cycles. Firstly, stresses and deformations are measured experimentally on a buried pipe subjected to monotonic and cyclic thermal loads, hence reproducing the typical operating conditions of buried piping systems. Subsequently, a numerical model is developed using the finite element method, which is validated using the results obtained experimentally. Subsequently, this computational model was used to carry out a parametric study of the influence of the mechanical properties of the soil on the stress state of the system. Finally, from the results obtained experimentally and numerically, it is concluded that the most critical situation in terms of stresses takes place when the pipe is firstly placed into operation, i.e. in the first cycle of thermal load and the other variables studied have little impact.