Large ocean waves with large wave height may destroy the ship’s structure, whereas it is difficult to predict the nonlinear dynamic strength in the large waves. In this study, we used a nonlinear simulation based on boundary element method (BEM)-finite element method (FEM) and a collapse experiment of ship model to study dynamic ultimate strength and dynamic course of collapse of ship structure, the collapse test was performed in regular tank wave. Besides, a simulation method for nonlinear dynamic ship strength was proposed to predict and compare the results of collapse test. A collapsed model consisting of a plastic hinge and two ship strips is designed. Subsequently, we performed the nonlinear simulation of the ultimate strength of ship model induced by tank wave. Wave loads were calculated following potential theory and BEM. Next, ship structural FEM model was modeled, the ship pressure was transferred to ship wet surface elements, and inertia force was exerted as well. Finally, the nonlinear dynamic strength calculation of ship model was performed in accordance with nonlinear FEM. A four-point-bending test adopted displacement controlling method was designed to obtain the hysteresis characteristic of the elastoplastic hinge. Hysteretic test and simulation analysis was performed to determine post-ultimate bending moment. Time-domain computational results including rotation angle history and vertical bending moment are close to collapse test results so that the two methods are verified. This study verifies that structural nonlinearities of ship structure induced by wave loads could be predicted.

Production and deep-sea mining risers should have sufficient flexibility to avoid severe loading due to vessel motions. Free hanging catenary is the simplest and cheapest configuration because of the ease of installation and the minimal requirements for subsea infrastructure. The interaction of the inner flow with the moving riser dominates the dynamic stability of the system. In the present work, the motion equation for a long, multilayered, fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) flexible riser is formulated, and a numerical method for critical inner flow velocities causing buckling in risers is proposed. Taking into account the motion equation, the physics of the inner flow-induced buckling phenomena is analyzed and a detailed interpretation of the terms of the motion equation is carried out. With the aid of transfer matrices and finite elements, the dynamic buckling modes and the natural frequencies are determined. It is proved that the dynamic stability of the riser is affected by the balance of the elastic flexural restoring force, the centrifugal force of the fluid flow in the curved portions, the Coriolis force of the fluid, the inertial force of the fluid and pipe mass, and the damping due to the effect of the surrounding water.

Many offshore jackets have no braces between the top of jacket and the bottom of topsides deck. This can be either due to the installation requirement and/or an effort to reduce wave loads. This kind of jacket bay is a portal frame. For the design of portal frame columns, the current offshore standards point to the unbraced frame alignment chart solution from onshore standards such as the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). In this paper, we will show that the AISC alignment chart unbraced frame K-factor solution is conservative for offshore applications, and perhaps too conservative. This is because the traditional alignment chart assumes that the entire structure is a moment frame. In offshore applications, the unbraced frame is almost always combined with braced frames from above and/or below. In this paper, we will derive a K-factor solution that is suitable for a braced/unbraced frame combination. This solution is validated with structural buckling finite element method (FEM) analyses of typical offshore frames. Design implications from using the traditional alignment chart versus current new K-factor solution are also discussed.

This paper gives an overview of the factors that affect the strength and structural design of advanced thin-walled marine structures with reduced plate thickness or alternative topologies to those used today in the marine industry. Due to production-induced initial deformations and resulting geometrical non-linearity, the classical division between primary, secondary, and tertiary responses becomes strongly coupled. Volume-averaged, non-linear response of structural element can be used to define the structural stress–strain relation that enables analysis at the next, larger, length scale. This, today’s standard homogenization process, needs to be complemented with localization, where the stresses are assessed at the details, such as welds for fatigue analysis. Due to this, the production-induced initial distortions need to be considered with high accuracy. Another key question is the length-scale interaction in terms of continuum description. Non-classical continuum mechanics are needed when consecutive scales are close. Strain-gradients are used to increase the accuracy of the kinematical description of beams, plates, and shells. The paper presents examples of stiffened and sandwich panels covering limit states such as fatigue, non-linear buckling, and fracture.

Pistons are fundamental structural elements in any engineering practices such as mechanical, civil, aerospace, and offshore engineering. Their strength strongly depends on buckling load, and such information is a major requirement in the design process. Euler's linear buckling equation is the most common and most used model in design. It is well suited for linear elastic members without geometrical imperfections and nonlinear behavior. Several analytical and experimental investigations of typical hydraulic cylinders have been carried out through the years but most of the available standards still use a linear approach with many simplifications. Pistons are slender beams with not-uniform cross section, which need a stronger effort than the classical Euler's approach. The present paper aims to discuss limitations of current DNV standards for piston design in offshore technologies when compared to classical numerical approaches and reference results provided by the existing literature.

This study focuses on the buckling of pipelines in shallow waters subjected to surface gravity waves. The wave-induced uplift forces on pipelines buried in sandy seabeds are investigated using Biot's consolidation model. Empathetic imperfection model proposed by Taylor and Tran (1994, “Experimental and Theoretical Studies in Subsea Pipeline Buckling," Mar. Struct., 9(2), pp. 211–257.) is used for the study. Thereafter, buckling analyses are performed on the pipeline with the combined temperature and the wave-induced loads. The differences in the critical buckling temperatures for the pipe with consideration of wave loads are analyzed within a range of sea states. The influence of wave loads is found significant for low burial depth ratios.

A strain concentration factor is typically incorporated in the higher-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) pipeline lateral buckling assessment to account for nonuniform stiffness or plastic bending moment. Increased strain concentration can compromise pipeline low cycle fatigue and lateral buckling capacity, leading to an early onset of local buckling failure. In this paper, the philosophy of local buckling mitigation using the strain concentration factor is examined. The local buckling behavior is evaluated. Global strain reduction and evolution against buckling are analyzed with respect to varying joint mismatch level. The concept of a strain reduction factor (SNRF) due to joint mismatch is developed based on the global strain capacity reduction with reference to the uniform configuration. It is demonstrated that the SNRF in terms of strain capacity reduction is a unique characteristic parameter. As opposed to strain concentration, it is an invariant insensitive to evaluation methods and design strain demand level, hence more representative as a limiting design metric to maintain the safety margin. The rationale for its introduction as an alternative to the strain concentration factor is outlined and its benefits are established. The method for obtaining the SNRF and its application is developed. The discernible difference and scenarios for application of either factor are discussed, including low and high cycle fatigue, linearity and stress concentration, engineering criticality assessment (ECA), and lateral buckling. Additional causal factors giving rise to mismatch such as pipe schedule transition and buckler arrestor are also discussed. Iterations of finite element (FE) analyses are performed for a pipe-in-pipe (PIP) configuration in a case study.

For a trenched and buried pipeline, the propensity to upheaval buckling (UHB) is a major design concern. Predictive UHB design is typically required at the outset to determine both trenching and backfilling requirements. Additional rockdump schedule can be established by analyzing post pipelay out of straightness (OOS) survey data incorporating appropriate safety factors based on a structural reliability analysis (SRA). The normal approach is to examine the as-laid pipeline imperfection survey statistics and data accuracy. The structural reliability analysis and load factor calculation are typically performed a priori based on the assumed initial imperfections using the universal design curve methodology. A new pseudo-energy method for UHB and OOS is proposed and discussed in this paper based on the variational principle and modal analysis. The approach takes into account the effects of varying effective axial force, trench imperfections, and vertical uplift resistance, by combining both axial friction and lateral resistance methods into a unified model. A new concept, effective uplift resistance and associated load, is also introduced to deal with nonuniform backfill cover. Adjacent imperfections and backfill profiles are considered in detail. A finite element (FE) model is developed to consist of three-noded quadratic pipe elements using abaqus Ver 6.12, and iterations of FE analyses are performed to demonstrate the tangible benefits of the approach specifically for UHB OOS design in relation to target trenching and backfilling, leading to improved reliability and potential cost saving in UHB OOS design and rockdump installation.

The present paper addresses aspects related to local buckling and instability of tensile armors in flexible pipes. Analytical models for evaluating the tensile armor buckling capacity in both transverse (radial and lateral) directions are presented based on formulating the linearized differential equation describing transverse stability of the thin curved wire assuming no friction. Then analytical models for the ultimate capacity of the outer sheath and antibuckling tape are formulated and a combined criterion for radial instability is proposed based on considering radial buckling of the tensile armor, wire yield failure, and the ultimate capacity of the outer sheath and tape. Thereafter, a study is performed comparing the proposed models with test data and alternative models available in the literature.

The local buckling response and post-buckling mechanical performance of high strength linepipe subject to combined loading state was evaluated using the finite element (FE) simulator abaqus/standard v6.12. The constitutive model parameters were established through laboratory tests and the numerical modeling procedures were verified with large-scale experiments investigating the local buckling response of high strength linepipe. The numerical predictions demonstrated a high level of consistency and correspondence with the measured experimental behavior with respect to the peak moment, strain capacity, deformation mechanism, and local buckling response well into the postyield range. A parametric study on the local buckling response of high strength plain and girth weld pipelines was conducted. The loading conditions included internal pressure and end rotation. The pipe mechanical response parameters examined included moment–curvature, ovalization, local strain, and modal response. The magnitude and distribution of the characteristic geometric imperfections and the end constraint, associated with the boundary conditions and pipe length, had a significant influence on the predicted local buckling response. The importance of material parameters on the local buckling response, including the yield strength (YS), yield strength to tensile strength ratio (Y/T), and anisotropy, was also established through the numerical parameter study. For girth weld linepipe, the study demonstrated the importance of the local high/low misalignment, associated with the circumferential girth weld, on the local buckling response.

A numerical strategy is developed and used to investigate the localized lateral buckling of circular pipelines under thermal loading and friction. The constitutive relations for circular pipelines are derived for thermal stresses and finite strain based on a hyperelastic constitutive model. The prebuckling lateral expansion and localized postbuckling deformation are investigated. A critical included angle for circular profiles is studied. Beyond the critical included angle, increasing the included angle of the pipeline or changing the boundary conditions does not influence the localized buckling behavior. Parametric studies are performed and the results are validated with ansys .

Flexible pipes can be used as risers, jumpers, and flowlines that may be subject to axial forces and out-of-plane bending motion due to operational and environmental loading conditions. The tensile armor wires provide axial stiffness to resist these loads. Antibirdcaging tape is used to provide circumferential support and prevent a loss of stability for the tension armor wires, in the radial direction. The antibirdcaging tape may be damaged where a condition known as “wet annulus” occurs that may result in the radial buckling (i.e., birdcaging mechanism) of the tensile armor wires. A three-dimensional continuum finite element (FE) model of a 4 in. flexible pipe is developed using abaqus/implicit software package. As a verification case, the radial buckling response is compared with similar but limited experimental work available in the public domain. The modeling procedures represent an improvement over past studies through the increased number of layers and elements to model contact interactions and failure mechanisms. A limited parameter study highlighted the importance of key factors influencing the radial buckling mechanism that includes external pressure, internal pressure, and damage, related to the percentage of wet annulus. The importance of radial contact pressure and shear stress between layers was also identified. The outcomes may be used to improve guidance in the engineering analysis and design of flexible pipelines and to support the improvement of recommended practices.

The collapse and buckling behaviors of reinforced thermoplastic pipe (RTP) under external pressure are studied in this paper. A theoretical model which includes axial and shear deformation is applied based on the model initially proposed by Kyriakides and his coworkers. Simulation of the reinforced layers of RTP is simplified using equivalent stiffness method. The load–displacement relation of RTP under external pressure is obtained based on the theoretical model. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) is also built to simulate the response of RTP using the software abaqus. Numerical simulation results from abaqus are similar to those from theoretical model. Besides, external pressure tests for RTP are carried out and the test results are compared with the analyzed results. Finally, factors that influence the external pressure capacity are also studied.

Numerical–experimental correlation study for small scale damaged stiffened panels was performed. Six small scale models were fabricated. Two of them were employed for the correlation of intact panels and the remaining four for the correlation of dented panels. Ultimate strength analyses were carried out in order to adjust the numerical model for further use in parametric studies. The damage was imposed by a local indentation of the panels. Measurements of geometric imperfection distributions and damage shapes have been performed before and after the damage using a laser tracker equipment. The numerical models were represented by shell elements assuming finite membrane strains and large rotations, considering both geometric and material nonlinearities. Results obtained showed very good agreement between experimental and numerical analyses for both intact and dented panels. Additionally, numerical simulations of damaged stiffened panels were performed. The aim of the parametric study was to evaluate the behavior up to and beyond buckling, to observe the strength loss due to the presence of the damage on the panel. The explicit nonlinear finite element code from abaqus program was employed to simulate the dent damage. Therefore, distortions and the residual stresses due to the damage were both considered in subsequent numerical compression analyses.

In principle, the reliability of complex structural systems can be accurately predicted by Monte Carlo simulation. This method has several attractive features for structural system reliability, the most important being that the system failure criterion is usually relatively easy to check almost irrespective of the complexity of the system. However, the computational cost involved in the simulation may be prohibitive for highly reliable structural systems. In this paper a new Monte Carlo based method recently proposed for system reliability estimation that aims at reducing the computational cost is applied. It has been shown that the method provides good estimates for the system failure probability with reduced computational cost. In a numerical example the usefulness and efficiency of the method to estimate the reliability of a system represented by a nonlinear finite element structural model is presented. To reduce the computational cost involved in the nonlinear finite element analysis the method is combined with a response surface model.

Lateral buckling must be considered in exposed HP/HT pipeline design. The snaked-lay method is an effective lateral buckling control method, a new deformation shape of snaked-lay pipeline is presented, and a control criterion of offset angle is also presented. When the offset angle is small or offset angle is large while the pipeline length of snaked-lay is too short or long, the maximum moments of postbuckling pipeline are large. For these problems, a new controlling method combined with snaked-lay and sleeper is proposed, which is named the SS method. Using Ansys, a nonlinear finite element model considering the interaction of seabed-sleeper-pipeline is established. The SS method is proved to be feasible to control lateral buckling for submarine pipelines. Based on critical axial compressive force and maximum bending moment, a design criterion of sleeper height is suggested.

This paper establishes the model basis regarding the ultimate limit state consisting of structural, loading, and probabilistic models of the support structure of offshore wind energy converters together with a sensitivity study. The model basis is part of a risk based assessment and monitoring framework and will be applied for establishing the “as designed and constructed” reliability as prior information for the assessment and as a basis for designing a monitoring system. The model basis is derived considering the constitutive physical equations and the methodology of solving these which then in combination with the ultimate limit state requirements leads to the specific constitutive relations. As a result finite element models based on shell elements incorporating a structural and a loading model are introduced and described in detail. Applying these models the ultimate capacity of the support structure and the tripod structure are determined with a geometrically and materially nonlinear finite element analysis. The observed failure mechanisms are the basis for the definition of the ultimate limit state responses. A probabilistic model accounting for the uncertainties involved is derived on the basis of literature review and measurement data from a prototype Multibrid M5000 support structure. In combination with the developed structural and loading models, sensitivity analyses in regard to the responses are performed to enhance the understanding and to refine the developed models. To this end, as the developed models necessitate substantial numerical efforts for the probabilistic response analysis predetermined designs of numerical experiments are applied for the calculation of the sensitivities using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. With this quantification of the sensitivity of the random variables on the responses including nonlinearity the refinement of the model is performed on a quantitative basis.

This is the first study into elastic-plastic buckling of unstiffened truncated conical shells under simultaneously acting axial compression and an independent external pressure. This is both a numerical and experimental study. Domains of combined stability are obtained using the finite element method for a range of geometrical parameters. Cones are clamped at one end and free to move axially at the other end, where all the other degrees of freedom remain constrained. Shells are assumed to be from mild steel and the material is modeled as elastic perfectly plastic. The FE results indicate that the static stability domains remain convex. The failure mechanisms, i.e., asymmetric bifurcation and axisymmetric collapse are discussed together with the spread of plastic strains through the wall thickness. Also, the combined stability domains are examined for regions of purely elastic behavior and for regions where plastic straining exists. The latter is not convex and repercussions of that are discussed. The spread of plastic strain is computed for a range of the (radius-to-wall-thickness) ratios. Experimental results are based on laboratory scale models. Here, a single geometry was chosen for validation of numerically predicted static stability domain. Parameters of this geometry were assumed as follows: the ratio of the bigger radius, r 2 , to the smaller radius, r 1 , was taken as (r 2 /r 1 ) = 2.02; the ratio of radius-to-wall-thickness, (r 2 /t), was 33.0, and the cone semiangle was 26.56°, while the axial length-to-radius ratio was (h/r 2 ) = 1.01. Shells were formed by computer numerically controlled machining from 252 mm diameter solid steel billet. They had heavy integral flanges at both ends and models were not stress relieved prior to testing. Details about the test arrangements are provided in the paper.

When there is a failure on the external sheath of a flexible pipe, a high value of hydrostatic pressure is transferred to its internal plastic layer and consequently to its interlocked carcass, leading to the possibility of collapse. The design of a flexible pipe must predict the maximum value of external pressure the carcass layer can be subjected to without collapse. This value depends on the initial ovalization due to manufacturing tolerances. To study that problem, two numerical finite element models were developed to simulate the behavior of the carcass subjected to external pressure, including the plastic behavior of the materials. The first one is a full 3D model and the second one is a 3D ring model, both composed by solid elements. An interesting conclusion is that both the models provide the same results. An analytical model using an equivalent thickness approach for the carcass layer was also constructed. A good correlation between analytical and numerical models was achieved for pre-collapse behavior but the collapse pressure value and post-collapse behavior were not well predicted by the analytical model.

As both onshore and offshore pipeline constructions push further into higher risk terrains, such as geologically unstable terrain and the Arctic region, the risk of local buckling failure (wrinkling) for these buried pipelines has been increasing gradually. However, current methods used to prevent buried pipelines from buckling failure are expensive, time consuming, and unreliable. Therefore, to overcome these problems, a reliable method of predicting pipeline wrinkling is proposed. The method can provide active warning for pipeline wrinkling through a decision-making system (DMS). The DMS has been designed to identify strain distribution patterns and their development on critical pipe segments and detect the onset of pipe wrinkling. To create a reliable DMS, studies of the strain distribution patterns of line-pipes during pipe buckling are very important. In this paper, the strain distribution patterns of various line-pipes are presented. These line-pipes have different material and geometric properties, loading conditions, and manufacturing conditions. A total of 32 sets of experimental results and 72 sets of finite element analyses (FEA) along with parametric studies were included in the study. The study revealed significant behavioral characteristics of the strain distribution patterns during pipe buckling and important parameters affecting these strain patterns. For practical application, three thresholds of the strain distribution patterns are proposed. Furthermore, the optimal positions and spacing of the strain measurements for early detecting pipelines wrinkling are discussed as well.