Installation of Pipes - Bearing Capacity of the Pipeline.

The placing of the soil in the pipe zone (bedding and embedding of the pipe) and in the trench over the pipes as well as the removal of any necessary trench sheeting govern the bearing capacity of the pipeline considerably. Careful preparation of the bedding ensures a trouble-free distribution of loads into the soil and prevents inadmissible line and point support areas; it prevents unacceptable settlement of the pipeline. The embedding ensures even load transfer in the pipe, guarantees a sufficiently supportive earth pressure at the sides and influences the settlement of the soil next to the pipe and thus the effective earth load (load concentration) on the pipe. The filling of the trench and the removal of any necessary trench sheeting influence the development of earth loads over the pipe and determine the extent of settlement of the trench fill material.