Using the "E-Defense" (full-scale 3D seismic rupture test facility) of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, we conducted a behavior experiment of a water pipeline due to ground collapse.

Ground collapses caused by earthquakes and torrential rains that have occurred frequently in recent years have resulted in damage to pipelines (e.g., slip-out of joints, breakage, water leakage, etc.). In this experiment, we verified the effectiveness of our earthquake-resistant products as a countermeasure against ground collapse.

～Outline of the experiment

Date of experiment: Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Place: E-Defense, National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED) / Hyogo Earthquake Engineering Research Center

Collaboration: National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, and Kanazawa University
Waterworks Bureaus (Osaka Municipal Waterworks Bureau, Okayama City Waterworks Bureau, Kobe City Waterworks Bureau)

Experimental products: Earthquake Resistant Reinforcement Fitting (jointly developed by Osaka Municipal Waterworks Bureau), Flange Support (jointly developed by Okayama City Waterworks Bureau), Earthquake Resistant Coupling (jointly developed by Kobe City Waterworks Bureau), Flexible Expansion Joint, and under pressure branching products, etc.

Experimental conditions: The ground in which the pipes were buried was vibrated to investigate the behavior of the pipes when the ground collapsed.

～Experimental results

In the experiment, "unprotected pipeline" detached due to ground collapse, while "earthquake-resistant reinforced pipeline" did not slip-out, confirming the effectiveness of earthquake-resistant products.