Buried-service loading
Assess pressure on a buried service using the entered load and ground information.
Extended Geotechnical Bundle
UGCalc
Buried-service pressure checks
Pressures on u/g pipes.
Sign in with an approved StructCalc account to use the calculator. This guide is public.
Application version: V38.
Features
Calculation basis
Review the documented method and project-specific verification requirements.
Getting started
New to UGCalc? Follow Assess a buried service for the step-by-step workflow. Use Help by topic to find a particular field or control, and read Checks and limits before using the output.
Help by topic
Choose a topic for instructions, field guidance and controls.
Assess a buried service
- Enter pipe geometry, cover depth, soil and bedding assumptions, and the location and size of the surface load.
- Use the Main/Calc inputs to define the load cases and select the pipe behaviour and material route.
- Run the calculation and inspect the stress distribution at pipe level, wall-stress indicators and the code-check summary.
- Review the in-app assumptions and acceptance criteria. Save or export the calculation record if the route offers it.
- Compare the result with the actual installation details and service-owner requirements before accepting the pipe or surcharge arrangement.
Calculation basis
The surcharge stress is estimated using the Boussinesq elastic half-space method. The app provides BS 9295-style checks for flexible pipes and rigid pipes, using its stated assumptions for pipe, bedding and surrounding ground.
Ring and oval figures are indicative pressure indices based on assumed granular bedding. They are not pipe-wall stress analyses and should not be treated as a full soil–pipe interaction model.
No matching topics. Try a field name or a word used by the app.
Tips and shortcuts
Keep the relevant field guidance open while you work.
Written tutorials
Follow these written walkthroughs. Each link opens the full instructions in Help by topic.
Video tutorials
No video tutorials have been added for UGCalc yet. Use the written guidance above.
Checks and limits
Verification
Confirm cover, load footprint, load spread, groundwater, soil stiffness, bedding quality, pipe class and installation conditions. Check the applicable edition and acceptance criteria of BS 9295 and the pipeline owner’s requirements. The app output is a check aid and does not replace a project-specific buried-service design.
Open UGCalc
Your model, calculation controls and exports stay in the existing calculator.
Launch UGCalc