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APPENDIX C
MODIFIED IOWA FORMULA

The primary formula used for predicting horizontal deection for ex-
ible pipe is the Modied Iowa Formula. It establishes the relationship
between the load on the pipe (DlKsWcr3), the pipe support (EI) and the soil
support (0.061Er3) and demonstrates the importance of the soil interac-
tion with the pipe.
The equation is:

Dl K sWc r 3
x =
(EI + 0.061E r 3 )

where:
x = horizontal increase in diameter, in.
Dl = deection lag factor
Ks = bedding factor; generally assumed to be 0.1 (0.083 to 0.110 depend-
ing on the bedding angle)
Wc = PD = load on pipe per unit length of pipe, lb/linear in.
r = radius of pipe (assumed equal to D/2 in the derivation of the Iowa
Formula), in.
t = pipe wall thickness, in.
E = modulus of elasticity of the pipe material, psi
I = Moment of Inertia of the pipe wall cross-section, in.4 per linear
inch = in.3
E = horizontal modulus of soil reaction, psi
P = vertical soil pressure on top of the pipe, psi
D = diameter of the pipe, in.

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 262 INSPECTING PIPELINE INSTALLATION

Interestingly, the Modied Iowa Formula was never meant to design

pipe, just to predict deection. Vertical deection is a much more impor-
tant value. Vertical deection of a exible pipe is essentially equal to the
vertical deection of the side-ll soil (that soil on the immediate side of
the pipe from the top of the pipe to the bottom of the pipe).
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It should be recognized that the shape of the pipe should take the form
of an ellipse rather than a series of eccentric curves or, worse yet, an inver-
sion. Notice that r in the formula is assumed to be one-half the diameter.
A substantial variation in the curvature of the pipe would impact the
results of the formula. Forms other than relatively uniform ellipses can
lead to the premature failure of the pipe due to buckling. Such detrimental
pipe deections occur when the soil is improperly compacted and can
become accentuated with exible pipe having low levels of pipe stiffness
(EI/r3).
The horizontal modulus of soil reaction, E, is a function of the type of
soil, the compaction of the soil, the diameter of the pipe, and the height
of cover over the pipe. Tables have been prepared based on experience,
but it should be recognized that E is an imprecise value that can not be
determined through basic soil mechanics.

Inspecting Pipeline Installation