Three-Dimensional Explicit Dynamic Numerical Method to Simulate a Deep-Sea Pipeline Exhibiting Lateral Global Buckling

Deep-sea pipelines exhibit lateral global buckling under high temperature and pressure differences. Numerical simulations are an effective and easy way to obtain the deformation and stress distribution of a post-buckling pipeline with a low cost. A relatively accurate and convenient simulation model using the explicit dynamic method was developed based on ABAQUS software to analyse pipeline lateral global buckling. In pipeline global buckling analysis, the dynamic variation of soil resistance as the pipeline moves laterally, the optimized computational length and the use of smooth initial imperfection profiles influence the accuracy of the simulation results. These three key factors were discussed here, and calculation methods were proposed. A CEL simulation model with improved boundary conditions that reduce the influence of wave reflection with a low calculation time cost was built to calculate the variation dynamics of soil resistance throughout the buckling process. Different computational lengths for pipelines with different parameters were simulated, and a fitting function to obtain an optimized computational length was proposed. A method to build the profiles of a pipeline with smooth imperfections was developed. Based on these analyses of the three impact factors, a relatively accurate and convenient simulation model for pipeline global lateral buckling analysis was established. Finally, an engineering case was evaluated to show the application of the simulation model and to test the reliability of this model.

[1]  Paul Jukes,et al.  The Latest Developments In the Design And Simulation of Deepwater Subsea Oil And Gas Pipelines Using FEA , 2009 .

[2]  Gary Cumming,et al.  Effect of Lateral Pipelay Imperfections On Global Buckling Design , 2008 .

[3]  Paul Jukes,et al.  Comprehensive FEA of Thermal Mitigation Buoyancy Module (TMBM)–Soil Interaction Using the Coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (CEL) Method , 2010 .

[4]  Bo Zhao,et al.  Numerical Investigation on Bearing Capacity of a Pipeline on Clayey Soils , 2010 .

[5]  M. Randolph,et al.  A practical numerical approach for large deformation problems in soil , 1998 .

[6]  Deepak V. Datye.  On the Calibration of Coefficients of Friction for Pipeline-Seabed Interaction , 2010 .

[7]  Malcolm D. Bolton,et al.  Pipe/Soil Interaction Behavior During Lateral Buckling, Including Large-Amplitude Cyclic Displacement Tests by the Safebuck JIP , 2006 .

[8]  Mark Randolph,et al.  Large-deformation finite element analysis of pipe penetration and large-amplitude lateral displacement , 2010 .

[9]  J. D. Murff,et al.  PIPE PENETRATION IN COHESIVE SOIL , 1989 .

[10]  Mark Randolph,et al.  The influence of sea state on as-laid pipeline embedment: A case study , 2010 .

[11]  Paul Jukes,et al.  Extra High-Pressure High-Temperature (XHPHT) Flowlines: Design Considerations and Challenges , 2009 .

[12]  Ragnar T. Igland,et al.  Expansion Design Philosophy to Prevent Buckle Walking at Very Uneven Seabed , 2009 .

[13]  John Li,et al.  Advanced Dynamic Stability Analysis , 2009 .

[14]  Aik Ben Gan,et al.  Submarine pipeline buckling—imperfection studies , 1986 .

[15]  R. S. Merifield,et al.  Effect of Surface Heave on Response of Partially Embedded Pipelines on Clay , 2009 .

[16]  Paul Jukes,et al.  Latest Developments In Upheaval Buckling Analysis For Buried Pipelines , 2009 .

[17]  Shuwang Yan,et al.  Study on lateral buckling characteristics of a submarine pipeline with a single arch symmetric initial imperfection , 2015 .

[18]  Alvaro Maia da Costa,et al.  HP-HT Pipeline Cyclic Behavior Considering Soil Berms Effect , 2006 .

[19]  Fausto Andreuzzi,et al.  Analytical solution for upheaval buckling in buried pipeline , 2001 .

[20]  Mark Randolph,et al.  Large deformation finite element analysis of vertical penetration of pipelines into the seabed , 2011 .

[21]  R. E. Hobbs,et al.  In‐Service Buckling of Heated Pipelines , 1984 .

[22]  Shuwang Yan,et al.  Numerical studies on global buckling of subsea pipelines , 2014 .