Simulation-Based Tracking of UOE Pipe Yield Strength Considering Various Thickness-to-Diameter Ratios

The plastic forming processes involved in the production of UOE pipes alter significantly the yield strength of the original steel plate. Numerous studies indicated that the work hardening and Bauschinger effect are the main factors influencing the alteration of the yield strength. Moreover, apart from the forming process itself, the flattening executed on strips sampled from the formed pipe appears to have also nonnegligible effect on the final yield strength that is used as quality index of the formed pipe. Therefore, this study tracks the yield strength of UOE pipe made of API-X70 steel with various thickness-to-diameter ratios by FE-simulation of the forming and flattening processes so as to identify the factors influencing the yield strength of the UOE pipe. The results show that the flattening process constitutes a critical phase in which steel experiences large loss of its tensile yield strength.