A simplified method to determine the moment-curvature relationships of a damaged tubular segment

Abstract A method for analysing the behaviour and strength of a damaged tubular segment was developed. In developing a reliable and efficient analytical method, a finite element analysis was carried out on a dented segment, and the m - p - φ relationship for each specific dent geometry was obtained. Then, a database of the relationship between various dent geometries was created. Regression analysis was performed to generalize the relationship between M , P , φ , D / t , d / D and σ y . Then, the functional relationship between M (moment) and the parameters was determined. Using the reduction process, the end moment of the dented segment was expressed in terms of axial force and rotation only. This predetermined M - P - θ relationship was used in the numerical integration of the member. Separate comparisons between analytical and experimental results were made for the M - P - θ curves of the dented segment.