Buckle Propagation Analysis of Deep-Water Petroleum Transmission Pipelines with Axial Tension

Abstract

Quasi-static finite element simulation is carried out on buckle propagation phenomenon of offshore pipelines under external pressure. Arc-length method and volume-controlled static analysis by employing hydrostatic fluid element F3D4 are employed to calculate the steady buckle propagation pressure. After verifying the validity of numerical model, emphasis is on the influence of tension on propagation pressure considering isotropic hardening elastoplastic and elastic-perfectly plastic materials. Parametric study is conducted to include the effect of diameter-thickness ratio, after which two empirical equations are derived by curve fitting procedure. Finally, some comments on the results obtained through rigid-plastic hinge model are presented and a modified plastic hinge model including effect of material anisotropy is derived. The results can serve as a reference for more reasonable design of buckle arrestors.