Simplified Finite Element Models to Study the Dry Collapse of Straight and Curved Flexible Pipes

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo Gay Neto ◽  
Clóvis de Arruda Martins ◽  
Eduardo Ribeiro Malta ◽  
Rafael Loureiro Tanaka ◽  
Carlos Alberto Ferreira Godinho
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Element Model ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Flexible Pipes ◽  
Simplified Modeling ◽  
Good Agreement

Dry collapse is one of the possible failure modes of flexible pipes. It refers to the situation in which no damage occurs in the flexible pipe external sheath. In this scenario, all layers of the pipe withstand the external pressure loading in a deep-water application. Such a situation is addressed in this work, which proposes some simplified modeling techniques to represent straight and curved flexible pipes subjected to external pressure, undergoing dry collapse during simulation procedure. The results of the proposed models are compared to other reference results, from a fully three-dimensional (3D) finite element model. Good agreement has been got, even with the proposed simplifications with a large reduction in computational cost when compared to full 3D model.

Finite Element Analysis of a Flexible Pipe Interlocked Carcass Under Tension Loads

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Geremias Toni ◽  
Rodrigo Provasi ◽  
Clóvis de Arruda Martins
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Cylindrical Layer ◽  
Stress Concentrations ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Realistic Representation ◽  
Three Dimensional Finite Element

Abstract To correctly model the structural behavior of a flexible pipe, the contribution of all the layers must be completely understood, among them the interlocked carcass. That carcass is a metallic layer designed to provide radial stiffness to a flexible pipe, mainly supporting pressure differentials and thus preventing failure modes such as collapse and crushing, but its behavior under other loads is worth of investigation. This paper contributes to understanding the carcass behavior under tension. Given its complex helical and interlocked geometry, modelling the carcass through the Finite Element Method is a challenging task, not only due to the large size of the models, but also due to the nonlinearities and convergence difficulties that arise from the self-contacts at the interlocking. For these reasons, most works developed over the past decades have adopted an equivalent layer approach, in which the carcass is replaced by an orthotropic cylindrical layer with equivalent mechanical properties. Although practical, this approach disregards the effects from the interlocking, such as stiffness variations and stress concentrations. Therefore, aiming a more realistic representation and a better understanding of the mechanical behavior of the interlocked carcass, this work presents four different carcass finite element models to analyze this layer under tension loads. The first one is a complete three-dimensional finite element model of an interlocked carcass discretized with second order isoparametric solid elements and surface-to-surface contact elements. The second model consists of a version of the first one with the addition of an inner polymeric sheath. As for the third and fourth models, it was adopted the simplifying ring hypothesis, that is, a carcass with 90 degree lay angle, thus allowing the axisymmetric modelling of the two previous configurations, representing a substantial computational gain by using two-dimensional meshes. The results of those models are then presented and compared, and the validity of the adopted simplifying hypothesis is verified.

Simplified Finite Element Models to Study the Wet Collapse of Straight and Curved Flexible Pipes

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo Gay Neto ◽  
Clóvis de Arruda Martins ◽  
Eduardo Ribeiro Malta ◽  
Rafael Loureiro Tanaka ◽  
Carlos Alberto Ferreira Godinho
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
3D Models ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Finite Element Models ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Collapse Pressure ◽  
Flexible Pipes ◽  
Polymeric Layer ◽  
Collapse Failure

When the external sheath of flexible pipes experiences damage, seawater floods the annulus. Then, the external pressure is applied directly on the internal polymeric layer, and the load is transferred to the interlocked carcass, the innermost layer. In this situation, the so-called wet collapse failure of the interlocked carcass can occur. Simplified methodologies to address such a scenario, using restricted three-dimensional (3D) finite element models, are presented in this work. They are compared with full 3D models, studying both straight and curved flexible pipes scenarios. The curvature of the flexible pipe is shown to be important for wet collapse pressure predictions.

Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Fibreglass Reinforced Flexible Pipes Under Torsion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pan Fang ◽  
Yuxin Xu ◽  
Shuai Yuan ◽  
Yong Bai ◽  
Peng Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Behavior ◽  
Torsion Angle ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Torsional Load ◽  
Flexible Pipes ◽  
The Impact

Fibreglass reinforced flexible pipe (FRFP) is regarded as a great alternative to many bonded flexible pipes in the field of oil or gas transportation in shallow water. This paper describes an analysis of the mechanical behavior of FRFP under torsion. The mechanical behavior of FRFP subjected to pure torsion was investigated by experimental, analytical and numerical methods. Firstly, this paper presents experimental studies of three 10-layer FRFP subjected to torsional load. Torque-torsion angle relations were recorded during this test. Then, a theoretical model based on three-dimensional (3D) anisotropic elasticity theory was proposed to study the mechanical behavior of FRFP. In addition, a finite element model (FEM) including reinforced layers and PE layers was used to simulate the torsional load condition in ABAQUS. Torque-torsion angle relations obtained from these three methods agree well with each other, which illustrates the accuracy and reliability of the analytical model and FEM. The impact of fibreglass winding angle, thickness of reinforced layers and radius-thickness ratio were also studied. Conclusions obtained from this research may be of great practicality to manufacturing engineers.

On the Structural Response of a Flexible Pipe With Damaged Tensile Armor Wires

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose´ Renato M. de Sousa ◽  
George C. Campello ◽  
Antoˆnio Fernando B. Bueno ◽  
Eduardo Vardaro ◽  
Gilberto B. Ellwanger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Axial Stiffness ◽  
Stress Concentrations ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Flexible Pipes

This paper studies the structural response of a 6.0″ flexible pipe under pure tension considering two different situations: the pipe is intact or has five wires broken in its outer tensile armor. A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model devoted to analyze the local mechanical response of flexible pipes is employed in this study. This model is capable of representing each wire of the tensile armors and, therefore, localized defects, including total rupture, may be adequately represented. Results from experimental tests are also presented in order to validate the theoretical estimations. The theoretical and experimental results indicate that the imposed damage reduced the axial stiffness of the pipe. High stress concentrations in the wires near the damaged ones were also observed and, furthermore, the stresses in the inner carcass and the pressure armor are affected by the imposed damage, but, on the other hand, the normal stresses in the wires of the inner tensile armor are not.

Flexible Pipes: Influence of the Pressure Armor in the Wet Collapse Resistance

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo Gay Neto ◽  
Clóvis de Arruda Martins
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
3D Fem ◽  
Collapse Pressure ◽  
Flexible Pipes ◽  
Polymeric Layer ◽  
Set Up ◽  
3D Finite Element Method ◽  
Ring Approximation

When submitted to high external pressure, flexible pipes may collapse. If the external sheath is damaged, all the external pressure is directly applied on the internal polymeric layer that transmits the loading to the carcass layer, which can fail due to this effect, leading to wet collapse. This failure mode must be taken into account in a flexible pipe design. A model can be set up neglecting the influence of the pressure armor, but this assumption may underestimate the wet collapse pressure value. This work aims to include the pressure armor effect in the numerical prediction of wet collapse. The main contribution of the pressure armor to the flexible pipe resistance to collapse is to be a constraint to the radial displacement of the carcass and the internal polymeric layers. Two models were developed to find the wet collapse pressure in flexible pipes. A first study was done using a ring approximation three-dimensional (3D) finite element method (FEM) model. Comparisons are made with more simplified models using a 3D FEM equivalent ring approximation. The aim is to clarify the mechanical behavior of the pressure armor in the wet collapse scenario. Parametric studies of initial ovalization of carcass and initial gaps and interference between polymeric layer and pressure armor are made and discussed.

Prediction and Qualification of Radial Birdcage and Lateral Buckling of Flexible Pipes in Deepwater Applications

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linfa Zhu ◽  
Zhimin Tan ◽  
Victor Pinheiro Pupo Nogueira ◽  
Jian Liu ◽  
Judimar Clevelario
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Local Buckling ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Prediction Theory ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Lateral Buckling ◽  
Operation Conditions ◽  
Flexible Pipes ◽  
Compressive Loads

Increasing oil exploitation in deepwater regions is driving the R&D of flexible pipes which are subjected to high external pressure loads from the hydrostatic head during their installation and operation. One of the challenges of flexible pipe design for such applications is to overcome the local buckling failure modes of tensile armor layers due to the combination of high external pressure, compressive loads and pipe curvature. This paper presents the latest progress in local buckling behavior prediction theory and the qualification process of flexible pipes. First, the mechanisms of two types of buckling behaviors, radial birdcage buckling and lateral buckling, are described. For each failure mode, the analytical buckling prediction theory is presented and the driving parameters are discussed. As part of the qualification process, the ability to resist radial birdcage and lateral buckling must be demonstrated. Suitable test protocols are required to represent the installation and operation conditions for the intended applications by deep immersion performance (DIP) tests. Several flexible pipes were designed based on radial birdcage and lateral buckling prediction theory, and pipe samples were manufactured using industrial production facilities for DIP tests. The results clearly show that flexible pipes following current design guidelines are suitable for deepwater applications. An alternative in-air rig was developed to simulate the DIP tests in a controlled laboratory environment to further validate the model prediction as a continuous development.

Finite Element Analysis of Flexible Pipes Under Compression

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Ribeiro Malta ◽  
Clóvis de Arruda Martins
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Large Displacements ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Flexible Pipes ◽  
Compressive Loads ◽  
Surface Vessel

Axial compressive loads can appear in several situations during the service life of a flexible pipe, due to pressure variations during installation or due to surface vessel heave. The tensile armor withstands well tension loads, but under compression, instability may occur. A Finite Element model is constructed using Abaqus in order to study a flexible pipe compound by external sheath, two layers of tensile armor, a high strength tape and a rigid nucleus. This model is fully tridimensional and takes into account all kinds of nonlinearities involved in this phenomenon, including contacts, gaps, friction, plasticity and large displacements. It also has no symmetry or periodical limitations, thus permitting each individual wire of the tensile armor do displace in any direction. Case studies were performed and their results discussed.

Finite Element Analysis of Flexible Pipes Under Axial Compression: Influence of the Sample Length

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Ribeiro Malta ◽  
Clóvis de Arruda Martins
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Sample Length ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Flexible Pipes

In order to study the axial compressive behavior of flexible pipes, a nonlinear tridimensional finite element model was developed. This model recreates a five layer flexible pipe with two tensile armor layers, an external polymeric sheath, an orthotropic high strength tape, and a rigid inner core. Using this model, several studies were conducted to verify the influence of key parameters on the wire instability phenomenon. The pipe sample length can be considered as one of these parameters. This paper includes a detailed description of the finite element model itself and a case study where the length of the pipe is varied. The procedure of this analysis is here described and a case study is presented which shows that the sample length itself has no practical effect on the prebuckling response of the samples and a small effect on the limit force value. The postbuckling response, however, presented high sensitivity to the changes, but its erratic behavior has made impossible to establish a pattern.

Thermal Effects on the Anchoring of Flexible Pipe Tensile Armors

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaf O. Otte Filho ◽  
Rafael L. Tanaka ◽  
Rafael G. Morini ◽  
Rafael N. Torres ◽  
Thamise S. V. Vilela
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Thermal Effects ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
System A ◽  
Flexible Pipes ◽  
Better Than

In the design of flexible pipes, predict the anchoring behavior on end fittings is always challenging. In this sense, Prysmian Surflex has developed a finite element model, which should help the end fitting design as well the prediction of the structural behavior and the acceptable maximum loads. The current model considers that the contact between armor-resin is purely cohesive and has been suitable for the design of end fittings [1] and [2]. But tests and new studies [3] and [4] indicate that only cohesive assumption would not be the best approach. Experimental data from prototype tests also show that the current model would not predict acceptable results for loads higher than those used in previous projects. This document will describe a study developed considering the friction and thermal contraction, instead of the cohesive phenomenon in the anchoring behavior analysis. Small scale tests were conducted in order to understand the anchoring relation between the resin and the wire used in the tensile armor. For this purpose, a special test device was developed to simulate an enclosure system. A parametric study was also performed to identify the cooling temperatures, coefficients of friction and contact properties parameters taken from small scale tests. The finite element model considers the thermal effects during exothermic curing. Using the new parameters obtained, a second model was developed. This model consists of only one real shaped bended wire inside an end fitting cavity. To validate the model, samples were tested on laboratory according anchoring design. The results of this round of tests were studied and corroborate the argument that use friction and thermal effects is better than use only the cohesive condition.

Numerical Analysis of a Flexible Pipe With Damaged Tensile Armor Wires

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose´ Renato M. de Sousa ◽  
Aline Nacif Pinho ◽  
Gilberto Bruno Ellwanger ◽  
Edison C. P. Lima
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Axial Rotation ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
High Stress Concentration ◽  
Flexible Pipes ◽  
Localized Defects ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element Model

This paper focus on the structural analysis of a 2.5″ flexible pipe with one up to five broken wires in its outer tensile armor. The pipe is supposed to be under pure tension and the effect of the number of ruptured wires on its response is discussed. A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model devoted to analyze the local mechanical response of flexible pipes is proposed and employed in all performed analyses. This model is capable of representing each wire of the tensile armors and, therefore, localized defects, including total rupture, may be adequately represented. The obtained results pointed to high stress concentration in the wires near the damaged ones as well as a significant increase in the axial rotation of the pipe. Moreover, the stresses in the inner carcass and the pressure armor are also affected by the rupture of wires in the outer tensile armor.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document