The study of pipeline-soil interaction started over 100 years ago. Initially it was focused on how soil loads interact with buried utility pipes and culverts. In the 1970s computer based (via dial-up modem) soil-spring models were used to assess the buried pipeline response on the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Since then, there have been many significant developments, including standard references (such as ALA (2005)) that provide guidance to pipeline stress analysts and designers.
Since recent years there have been several important advances in understanding how buried pipelines and soils interact, which has improved pipeline designs. There remain several areas that still need more research and development. This presentation will present one report card on pipeline-soil interaction modelling and present continuing challenges for our industry.