48
Geotechnical News • December 2019
GEOHAZARDS
ing technologies are presented in what
is intended to serve as a connection
between geotechnical and pipeline
engineers, and geomatics specialists.
The interpretation of the geotechni-
cal and topographic setting, including
surficial geology and geomorphology,
for proposed or operating pipelines
serves as the foundation of planning,
design, construction and geohazard
integrity management during opera-
tions. Accordingly, two chapters at the
start of the book are titled:
• Terrain Analysis for Pipeline Cor-
ridor Selection
• Data Generation, Integration,
Management and Visualization
A discussion is presented on the geo-
technical aspects of pipeline construc-
tion (Fig. 3) titled:
• Geotechnical Engineering and
Pipeline Construction Interface
Considerations.
This chapter identifies key interface
points between geotechnical engineer-
ing and construction specialists and
highlights the areas where geological
models and geotechnical principles
can be leveraged to support construc-
tion execution planning and generate
realistic estimates of geo-technical
quantities.
The design and integrity manage-
ment of water crossings is a critically
important topic addressed in a chapter
titled:
• Trenched and Elevated River
Crossings
This chapter builds and expands on
the recognized valuable reference on
that topic presented in the first edition
of the book. The chapter offers an
overview of design considerations
including design examples and lessons
learned. Most importantly, guidance
is provided in terms of what is critical
and what is less critical in terms of
design inputs. A discussion of water
crossing construction methods is
provided, differentiating between what
needs ‘hard’ versus ‘flexible’ specifi-
cations. Practical recommendations
are provided on monitoring practices
during operations, mindful of what
is suited and what is not suited for
prediction.
The importance of the now prevalent
trenchless techniques for pipeline
construction is covered in two related
chapters titled:
• Trenchless Techniques for Pipeline
Installation
• Horizontal Directional Drilling
The two chapters offer an overview
of the range of trenchless techniques
for pipeline installation including
common methods used for road and
railway crossings (Fig. 3) and more
involved methods such as the micro-
tunneling class of technology as well
as in-depth discussion of Horizontal
Directional Drilling (HDD).
Several key geohazard mechanisms
that affect pipeline design, construc-
tion and integrity management during
operations are presented in turn in four
chapters titled:
• Buoyancy Control at Water Cross-
ings and Overland
• Erosion and Sediment Control of
Pipeline Rights-of-Way
• Geotechnical Aspects of Pipelines
in Permafrost
• Assessment and Mitigation of Seis-
mic Geohazards for Pipelines
Arguably the main focal point of the
book in relation to pipeline geo-
hazard assessment (Fig. 5), a set of
four closely related chapters delve
deeply into the broad area of pipeline
geohazard assessment and manage-
ment, expanding considerably on the
treatment of the same topic presented
in the first edition of the book. These
chapters are titled:
• Geohazards Assessment and Man-
agement: Overview
• Geohazard Assessment and Man-
agement: Geohazards, Weather
and External Force Mechanisms
• Geohazard Assessment and Man-
agement: Assessment Principles
and Techniques
• Geohazard Assessment and Man-
agement: Monitoring and Mitiga-
tion
By necessity, an intentional filter is
applied to refocus the description of
geohazards from the classic geotechni-
cal and geomorphological perspectives
to the impact of these geohazards on
pipelines. An emphasis on pipeline-
centric fitness for service is advocated.
Figure 3: A large-diameter pipeline under construction
(photo ©Tim Bossenberry, used by permission).
