Onshore Buried Steel Fuel Pipelines at Fault Crossings: A Review of Critical Analysis and Design Aspects

Onshore buried steel pipeline infrastructure is a critical component of the fuel supply system. Pipeline failure due to seismic actions is socially, environmentally, and economically unacceptable and thus the design of pipelines in geohazard areas, such as fault crossings, remains a hot topic for the pipeline community. There is an intense research effort on the evaluation of the pipeline mechanical behavior and the strength verification at fault crossings. Still, some aspects need in-depth consideration concerning practical applications. A state-of-the-art review is presented on three critical analysis and design aspects, namely, the calculation of the design fault displacement via deterministic and probabilistic methods, the effect of numerical modeling parameters such as soil spring properties, and the alternative pipe protection measures in terms of availability, efficiency, and selection process. The critical review offers a thorough insight into what is available and how to employ it in design, assisting engineers and pipe operators in improving pipe safety.