International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.6, No.

7, July 2018
E-ISSN: 2321-9637
Available online at www.ijrat.org
`
Thrust Block for Pipelines - Case Study of Water Sup-
ply Scheme for a Town Berinag
Prof. S. C. Gupta1, Imran Hussain2
Sr. Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering1
Research Scholar M.Tech Structures, Department of Civil Engineering2
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Bidholi via Premnagar, Dehradun -248007, India1, 2
Email: scgupta@ddn.upes.ac.in1, imranhssn159@gmail.com2.

Abstract—This paper concerns with the design of thrust block pipeline of the proposed palatable water supply
line-1 of 2.34km stretch for Berinag town located in Pithoragarh district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The
pipeline has the many number of deviations and change in the elevation of the pipeline. Due to this the centrifu-
gal force is generated by moving water which will produce the horizontal thrust on the pipeline bends or at
joints, and also the pressure in the pipelines was changing due to the change in direction and vertical elevation
which will cause in the bursting or rupture of the pipeline. This change in pressure was calculated by using Ber-
noulli’s continuity equation. Hence for the efficient and economical usage of pipeline and without increasing the
size of pipeline, an anchorage to the pipeline has been provided by means of RCC Thrust block. The design of
the RCC thrust block has been done manually.

Index Terms– Thrust restraint, momentum, thrust absorber, deviation angle.

1. INTRODUCTION ter crisis as rain damaged pipelines at Tanakpur and

Berinag [15]. The source of water is Gweerghatiya
Berinag is a hill station in Pithoragarh district, which Gadera near Berinag which is located in district of
is easternmost Himalayan district in state of Uttarak- Pithoragarh [15]. The water is conveyed by rising
hand, India. Berinag elevation is 1860 m above sea main of 4.6km and distribution line is of 68km, the
level, it is situated 460 km North-East of National total cost of project is 12.42 crore ₹ [15]. The earlier
Capital New Delhi and 443 km South-East of state pipelines had got damaged due to the improper
Capital Dehradun and its coordinates are 29.80oN knowledge of laying of pipeline, analysis and compu-
80.07oE [1]. This scheme name is Postana (Berinag) tation of forces which are developed in pipeline due to
Gov of village pumping water supply scheme which the flow of water. This anchor provided to pipeline- 1
was launched by the Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam [15]. will act as the thrust restraint or thrust absorber by its
Berinag town population is 14000 as per census dead weights placed opposite to pipeline’s line of hor-
2011[15]. A new water supply pipe lines are being izontal
layed for this town. Since the residents of Haldwani, thrust.
Tanakpur and Berinag are reeling under an acute wa-

Figure-2 Uttarakhand Political Map [6]

Figure-1 India Political Map [6]
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 International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.6, No.7, July 2018
E-ISSN: 2321-9637
Available online at www.ijrat.org
`
3.0 Importance of Thrust Block

Handbook on pipes and fittings for drinking water

supply states [12]
All pipe-lines having unanchored flexible joints re-
quire anchorage at changes of direction and at dead
ends to resist the static thrust developed by internal
pressure. Dynamic thrusts caused by flowing water
act in the same direction as static thrusts. This thrust
is of sufficient magnitude at high velocities to warrant
safety consideration. Anchorages to resist the thrust
should be designed taking into account the maximum
pressure the main is to carry in service or on test, and
the safe bearing pressure of the surrounding soil.
It’s been widely studied that the weight of the anchor-
age or blocking will be sufficient to compensate for
the thrust in the main [11].
Unbalanced forces in a pipeline are developed at el-
Figure-3 Pithoragarh Political Map [6]
bows, tees, wyes, reducers, valves, and dead ends
2.0 MATERIALS [10]. These forces are occurred due to the unbalanced
internal pressure in pipe and centrifugal force exerted
2.1 Concrete by the moving fluid at the joints of the pipe and at the
ends of the pipeline [2-5, 10-12, 18].
Concrete is a construction material which is manufac-
tured by the mixture of inert materials which are
4.0 DESIGN OF R.C.C THRUST BLOCK.
called as aggregates, the cement and water. By con-
4.1 Design data for Berinag Line-1.
trolling the proportion of these three components with
which desired grade of M20 has been prepared and
the minimum grade of the concrete should be M20 1. Internal pressure of pipe at 0 m chainage, p:
which has to be maintained [7] was attained. The wa- 5687 kN/m2
ter using for the manufacturing of the concrete was 2. Angle of internal friction, : 300
tap water [7, 8, 9]. 3. Velocity of water in pipe at 0 m chainage, V:
4 m/s
2.2 Steel reinforcement 4. Density of soil(γs): 18 kN/m3
5. Density of concrete(γc): 25 kN/m3
As the concrete is strong in compression and weak in 6. Density of water(γw): 10 kN/m3
tension [7, 8, 9], hence concrete was reinforced with 7. Co-efficient of friction between soil and con-
the HYSD bars to take up the tension and to prevent crete, µ: 0.4
concrete from the shrinkage and creep which will 8. Cohesion of sandy soil, c: 0
occur due to the variation of temperature with the 9. Dia of pipe: 0.20 m
time [7, 8, 9]. Minimum steel used was 0.12% surface 10. Soil cover : 1m
area [7, 8, 9].

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E-ISSN: 2321-9637
Available online at www.ijrat.org
`

4.2 Profile levels of the Pipeline- 1:

SI Chainage in Deviation Reduced

no. ‘m’ Angle 𝞱 in level in
degrees ‘m’
1 0 0 1256
2 40 11 1256
3 100 22 1264
4 200 45 1294
5 320 11 1305
6 400 180 1313
7 500 11 1321
8 530 45 1328 Figure- 4 Plan of bend
9 640 22 1336
10 700 180 1342 Applying momentum equation and resolving it, hori-
11 800 11 1345 zontal thrust is obtained is as below
12 900 22 1311
13 1000 180 1281 And unit is in kN.
14 1100 180 1276
15 1200 180 1273
The resistance offered are by the friction of pipe exte-
16 1300 22 1270
rior and by bearing value of soil in which block is
17 1400 22 1276
buried.
18 1450 22 1270
19 1490 1313 The total resistance offered by block contain 3 com-
22
ponents [3, 16-18].
20 1600 11 1338
21 1690 45 1368 1. Frictional resistance.
22 1800 11 1390 2. Passive earth pressure (Lateral resistance of soil).
23 1900 22 1409 3. Active earth pressure (Lateral earth pressure).
24 2000 22 1407
25 2100 45 1419 4.4 Frictional resistance (Pf):
26 2200 22 1447 Resistance is generated by thrust block and cir-
27 2350 1459 cumference of pipe. The unit is in kN.
22
28 2380 22 1514 Pf = µW.
29 2310 45 1561
30 2340 45 1567 & W = Wb + Ww + WS

4.5 Passive pressure ( Pp):

4.3 Calculation of Horizontal Thrust (P): It is the pressure exerted by soil opposite to the
thrust on the block. The unit is in kN.
As the water is flowing in pipeline, there is momen-
tum, due to change in direction of flow momentum
gets varies, 2nd law of motion states “the rate of ( ( ) ( )) ( √ )
change of momentum is directly proportional to the
force applied in direction of force” [4, 13]. The reso-
lution of the forces has been widely studied from ref- Or
erence [13].
( ( ) ) ( √ )

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E-ISSN: 2321-9637
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4.6 Active pressure (Pa):
Will act on the portion of projected pipe i.e, when
block is free to yield or slide away from soil. The ( ) ( ) =( ) ( )
unit is in KN.
4.9 Factor of safety ( FOS):
Factor of safety is the ratio of ultimate strength to
( ( )) ( √ )
the actual working stress or max permissible
stress when in use [3,8-9,16-18].
Here it is the ratio of the total resistance to the
Or
horizontal thrust. It should be greater than 2 and
( √ ) less than 3. If factor of safety is with in 2 and 3 it
will safely carry the horizontal thrust and also the
4.7 Total resistance (Pr): water hammer effect. If the factor of safety is
within above prescribed limits then the thrust
It is the total sum of the frictional resistance, passive block will be efficient and economical for intend-
pressure and active pressure. The unit is in kN. ed purpose of work.

Therefore, Total resistance, Pr = Pf + + FOS =

4.8 Change in pressure

FOS should be > 2 & < 3 for the optimum size of the
The change in pressure was calculated by applying the thrust block [3,16, 18].
Bernoulli’s continuity equation which has been stud-
ied from reference [14],
4.10 RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS:

Table – 1

Size Of
SI Chainage p in Thrust (P) Pa in
Pf in kN Pp in kN Pr in kN Thrust Block FOS
no. in ‘m’ kN/m2 in kN kN
LxBxH in ‘m’
1 0 5687 0 0 0 0 0 - -
2 40 5687 34.35 27.80 46.656 1.2 75.65 1.2x1.2x1.2 2.20
3 100 5687 69.91 47.66 96.768 1.2 145.63 1.4x1.4x1.6 2.08
4 200 5687 137.13 90.95 194.4 1.2 286.55 1.8x1.8x2.0 2.09
5 320 5687 35.90 27.80 46.656 1.2 75.65 1.2x1.2x1.2 2.11
6 400 5687 253.39 141.69 365.04 1.2 507.93 2.0x2.0x2.6 2.00
7 500 5687 35.90 27.80 46.656 1.2 75.65 1.2x1.2x1.2 2.11
8 530 5687 137.13 90.95 194.4 1.2 286.55 1.8x1.8x2.0 2.09
9 640 5687 69.91 47.66 96.768 1.2 145.63 1.4x1.4x1.6 2.08
10 700 5687 253.39 141.69 365.04 1.2 507.93 2.0x2.0x2.6 2.00
11 800 5687 35.90 27.80 46.656 1.2 75.65 1.2x1.2x1.2 2.11
12 900 9022 110.79 66.79 162 1.2 229.99 1.5x1.5x2.0 2.08
13 1000 11965 532.32 335.18 729 1.2 1065.8 3.0x3.0x3.0 2.00
14 1100 12456 554.13 346.34 778.41 1.2 1125.5 3.0x3.0x3.1 2.03
15 1200 12750 567.19 357.87 778.41 1.2 1137.4 3.0x3.1x3.1 2.01
16 1300 13045 160.10 109.05 216 1.2 326.25 2.0x2.0x2.0 2.04
17 1400 13045 160.10 109.05 216 1.2 326.25 2.0x2.0x2.0 2.04
18 1450 13633 167.31 114.49 238.14 1.2 353.83 2.0x2.0x2.1 2.11
19 1490 13633 167.31 114.49 238.14 1.2 353.83 2.0x2.0x2.1 2.11
20 1600 13633 85.92 63.31 124.84 1.2 189.35 1.6x1.6x1.7 2.20
21 1690 13633 328.19 224.76 474.55 1.2 700.51 2.6x2.6x2.6 2.13
22 1800 13633 85.92 70.15 132.61 1.2 204.00 1.7x1.7x1.7 2.37
23 1900 13633 167.31 114.49 238.14 1.2 353.83 2.0x2.0x2.1 2.11
24 2000 13829 169.71 114.49 238.14 1.2 353.83 2.0x2.0x2.1 2.08

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E-ISSN: 2321-9637
Available online at www.ijrat.org
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25 2100 13829 332.91 224.76 474.55 1.2 700.51 2.6x2.6x2.6 2.10
26 2200 13829 169.71 114.49 238.14 1.2 353.83 2.0x2.0x2.1 2.08
27 2350 13829 169.71 114.49 238.14 1.2 353.83 2.0x2.0x2.1 2.08
28 2380 13829 169.71 114.49 238.14 1.2 353.83 2.0x2.0x2.1 2.08
29 2310 13829 332.91 224.76 474.55 1.2 700.51 2.6x2.6x2.6 2.10
30 2340 13829 332.91 224.76 474.55 1.2 700.51 2.6x2.6x2.6 2.10
counteract the shrinkage and creep phenomenon steel has
been provided of minimum percentage as prescribed by
The reinforcement of HYSD bars has been provided in reference [7].
surface of block and surrounding of the pipe. The Concrete
block has been designed to take the complete thrust and the Hence provided steel was 8 tor steel @ 200mm c/c.
thrust which is generated due to water hammer. But to
The reinforcement details has been shown in figure-5.

Figure- 5 Showing Typical Plan And Sectional Elevation Of Thrust Block [16]

Figure-4 shows that the flow of water is generating the Pp – Passive pressure.
thrust P, the forces which is so called thrust’s magnitude is
calculated after resolving forces x and y direction. Hence to Pa – Active pressure.
maintain the equilibrium in the pipeline the R.C.C. thrust
Pr - Total resistance in kN.
block was designed and the obtained sizes of the thrust
block are mentioned in the Table-1. And the obtained sizes p – Internal pressure of water in kN/m2.
of thrust block are employed for construction.
A – Cross sectional area of pipe in m2.
Notations:
w – Unit weight of water in kN/m3.
P – Thrust.
v – Velocity of flow of water in m/s.
Pf – Frictional resistance.

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E-ISSN: 2321-9637
Available online at www.ijrat.org
`
g – Acceleration due to gravity 9.81 m/s2. [5] George E. Neher, Y. T. Lin, Practical Applications
for Design of Thrust Blocks and Tied Joints, Source:
𝞱 – Deviation angle of pipeline in degrees. Journal (American Water Works Association), Vol.
70, No. 3, Groundwater: Influencing Factors (March
HYSD – High yield strength deformation bars. 1978), pp. 131-138.
[6] Photos, Political maps of India, Uttarakhand and P
W – Total weight carried by thrust block in kN. thoragarh are taken from Google.
[7] IS 456-2000 Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of
Wb – Weight of thrust block in kN. Practice.
[8] Book, 'Dr.B.C.Punmia, Ashok k.Jain, Arun k.Jain,
Ww – Weight of water in pipe in kN. R.C.C DESIGNS tenth edn. (Laxmi Publications,
2014), pp. 1-29
WS – Weight of soil cover in kN. [9] Book, Jai Krishna, O.P.Jain, Plain and Reinforced
Concrete Volume-I, 8th edn. (Nem Chand & Bros,
Kp – co-efficient of passive earth pressure. 2015), pp. 1-38,146-159
[10] Charles A. Manganaro, Design for Unbalanced Thrust
Ka – co-efficient of active earth pressure. for Buried Water Conduits, Source: Journal (Ameri-
can Water Works Association), Vol. 60, No. 6 (JUNE
h – Height of earth mass which is equal to dia of pipe. 1968), pp. 705-716
[11] George G. Schmid and Elmer E. Bauhahn, Im-
H – Height of thrust block in m. portance of Thrust Blocks for Pipe Installations,
Source: Journal (American Water Works Associa-
L – Length of soil thrust block in m. tion), Vol. 52, No. 1 (JANUARY 1960), pp.81-87
[12] Handbook On Pipes And Fittings For Drinking Wa-
B – Breadth of soil thrust block in m. ter Supply- SP 57 (QAWSM) : 1993
[13] Book, Prof.S.C. Gupta, Engineering Mechanics-1
- Angle of internal friction of soil. It is the max inclina- (Statics &Dynamics), published by Nirali Prakashan.
[14] Book, H.S.Vishwanath, Hydraulics, 2nd edn, (Sapna
tion of a plane at which body remains in equilibrium over
Publications, 2012), pp. 50-78
inclined plane by the resistance of friction only. [15] Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam, India. Complete Data from
department
C – Unit cohesion. [16] Manual On Water Supply & Treatment, 3rd edn,
CPHEEO, The Government Of India, Ministry Of
- Unit weight of soil cover in kN/m3. Urban Development, New Delhi., pp. 159-165, 609-
611
Z – Elevation or level of the section. [17] I.S.5330-1984: Criteria for design of anchor blocks
for penstocks with expansion joints [WRD 14: Water
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