title: Predicting the Probability of Failure of Cementitious Sewer Pipes Using Stochastic Finite Element Method.
abstract: In this paper, a stochastic finite element method (SFEM) is employed to investigate the probability of failure of cementitious buried sewer pipes subjected to combined effect of corrosion and stresses. A non-linear time-dependant model is used to determine the extent of concrete corrosion. Using the SFEM, the effects of different random variables, including loads, pipe material, and corrosion on the remaining safe life of the cementitious sewer pipes are explored. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the merit of the proposed SFEM in evaluating the effects of the contributing parameters upon the probability of failure of cementitious sewer pipes. The developed SFEM offers many advantages over traditional probabilistic techniques since it does not use any empirical equations in order to determine failure of pipes. The results of the SFEM can help the concerning industry (e.g., water companies) to better plan their resources by providing accurate prediction for the remaining safe life of cementitious sewer pipes.
authors.affiliation: School of Computing and Technology, University of West London, 8th Floor, Villiers House, Ealing Broadway, London W5 2PA, UK. amir.alani@uwl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Amir M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alani
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. a.faramarzi@bham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Asaad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faramarzi
mesh_terms: D003343:Corrosion; D004323:Drainage, Sanitary; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D011336:Probability; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: cementitious sewer pipe; concrete corrosion; probability of failure; random variables; stochastic finite element method