Damage in Fibreglass Composite Laminates Used for Pipes

Abstract

In this work, we present a model for the initiation and evolution of damage for a composite fibre-reinforced pipe used in the Oil & Gas industry, based on a commercially available pipe. A continuum damage mechanics model was employed to determine the initiation and evolution of damage. This model was implemented using finite element analysis to investigate the performance of the commercial composite pipe. Initially, the material properties were obtained from experimental data and fitting with static structural simulations. Then, FE simulations with damage were performed, considering three different boundary conditions: open, closed (pressure-vessel type) and fixed ends, the load considered was internal pressure. Results showed differences not only in the stress distribution but on the damage initiation and evolution along the geometry of the pipe. These differences in the damage initiation and propagation can be explained as the result of different axial-hoop stress ratio.