Abstract
Bend restrictors (BR) are used during installation and operation of subsea power cables’ and umbilicals’ to limit the bending radius. This publication presents an alternative measurement method to qualify bend restrictors. One key parameter to qualify bend restrictors is the minimum bending radius (MBR). It is required to measure the MBR of the bend restrictor elements in lock-up position and deformed locked position under load. Existing guidelines, standards and test methods do not describe exactly how and by which means the MBR should be measured. As a result different measurement methods, models and assumptions are used in the industry. To the authors knowledge, existing measurement methods have a variety of limitations, for instance complex time consuming measurement set-up, limited accuracy and sensitive to errors. The alternative measurement method to identify the MBR, described in this publication, is based on a total station measurement technique. The total station consists of an electronic theodolite integrated with an electronic distance measurement unit, which measures the position of specified points in a 3d coordinate system. The alternative measurement method is easy to apply, less time consuming, more robust and can measure the MBR for all positions along the BR elements wirelessly.
