NC Research
Research Areas
Our team is focused on solving industry challenges through focused research. Our team’s current research topics include advanced-soil interactions for buried pipelines, advanced topics in pipeline geo-hazard risks, and hydrogen embrittlement of high-strength carbon steel pipelines. We are always interested in discussing problems that can not be solved in routine capital projects due to time constraints. Our work shows that these problems can be solved, and the outcome often results in significant improvement to infrastructure reliability or operational efficiencies.
Northern Crescent has developed in-house engineering tools to increase the accuracy of the pipeline design resulting in fewer revisions. Our team considers a full life cycle 360-degree approach to provide fit-for-purpose designs for your pipeline applications.
Want to Discuss Your Reoccurring Operational or Infrastructural Issues?
Feel free to contact Us. Northern Crescent will be happy to provide no-obligation consultation and, if required, develop a research proposal.
Our Publications
Modeling of seepage using a Eulerian-based finite element method
Seepage plays a significant role in many geotechnical problems such as the stability of earth dams and riverbanks. In addition, the large-deformation behavior of soil is equally important in many cases, including progressive failure of slopes, and landslides in sensitive clays. The...
A study on the effects of slope grade on the soil-pipeline interaction loading
In this work, a numerical model is calibrated using the force-displacement data of Trautmann et al. (1985). The numerical technique is implemented to study the effects of slope angle on soil-pipeline interaction loading. For this purpose, the pipe is displaced in horizontal, upward and oblique...
Modeling of buried pipelines in dense sand for oblique movement in vertical–lateral plane
Finite-element modeling of pipelines buried in dense sand under oblique loading in vertical (upward)–lateral load space is presented. The prepeak hardening, postpeak softening, density, and confining pressure–dependent behavior of sand are considered in simulations. A monotonic...
Material properties for fracture mechanics based strength assessment of cast iron water mains
Municipal water distribution systems in Canada and other countries include a large number of cast iron pipes that were installed almost 50 years ago. For structural integrity assessment of these pipes, the fracture mechanics approach is found to be more effective than the conventional continuum...
Upward pipe–soil interaction for shallowly buried pipelines in dense sand
Uplift resistance is a key parameter against upheaval buckling in the design of a buried pipeline. The mobilization of uplift resistance in dense sand is investigated in the present study based on finite-element (FE) analysis. The prepeak hardening, postpeak softening, density-dependent, and...
Lateral resistance of pipes and strip anchors buried in dense sand
Geohazards and associated ground movement (e.g. landslides, slow movement of soil in a slope, nearby excavation) or thermal expansion during pipeline operation (e.g. lateral movement of pipe at the side bends) results in relative displacement between the pipe and surrounding soil. In the current...
