Mechanical response model for buried pipelines induced by coal seam mining

Abstract In regions where oil and gas resources overlap with coal deposits, as well as in major coal-producing countries, surface movements induced by coal mining pose a significant threat to the safety of buried pipelines. To optimize the safe routing and installation of pipelines traversing mining areas, this study develops a theoretical model for the mechanical response of pipelines under various conditions of axial displacement relative to the surrounding soil during mining operations. The reliability of the theoretical model is validated through comparative numerical simulations. First, based on the yield criterion for axial relative displacement between the pipeline and soil, a governing differential equation for the axial displacement of the pipeline is derived. Second, using finite difference methods and Newton–Raphson iteration theory, an iterative solution procedure is established to analyze the mechanical behavior of the pipeline under different states of axial pipe-soil relative displacement. Finally, the theoretical model is applied to compute the mechanical responses of the pipeline under varying axial limit load conditions between the pipeline and soil. The results demonstrate that the proposed model effectively captures the evolution of axial frictional resistance at the pipe–soil interface and the resulting pipeline stress under different relative displacement conditions within the mining area. The model enables computation of axial stress and frictional resistance along the pipeline in the mining zone. The application of this model supports the design of safe pipeline crossings in mining areas and offers decision-making guidance for mitigating failure risks associated with pipeline stress.