A Finite Element Analysis for Unbonded Flexible Risers Under Axial Tension

Recent developments on the numerical analysis of detailed finite element models of unbonded flexible risers using ABAQUS are presented. Several analytical methods are studied and combined together, and their results are compared with those obtained in the finite element model for two different tests, the second one involving cyclic loading. In the finite element model all layers are modeled separately and contact interfaces are placed between each layer. A fully explicit time-integration scheme was used on a 16-processor cluster. The very good agreement found from numerical and analytical comparisons validates the use of our numerical model to provide benchmark solutions against which further detailed investigation will be made.Copyright © 2008 by ASME