To account for the effect of the stress concentration factor (SCF) at the weld toe on stress intensity factor range, ΔK, a magnification factor, M k , is used. The existing M k solutions given in BS 7910 were developed for fatigue assessment of flaws at the toes of fillet and butt welds and may not be suitable for assessing flaws at single-sided girth weld root toes, where fatigue cracking often initiates and the weld width is relatively small. Finite element (FE) modelling was performed to determine a 2D M k solution for ECA of a flaw at the weld root bead toe. The weld root bead profile was uniquely characterised by five variables including weld root bead width, weld root bead height, hi-lo, weld root bead angle and weld root bead radius. Following a parametric sensitivity study, defect size, weld root bead height and hi-lo were identified as the governing parameters. A total of 6,000 FE simulations was performed, covering different combinations of weld root bead height and hi-lo. A series of automation scripts were developed in the Python programming language and the M k solution for each type of defect model was developed and provided in a parametric equation. The accuracy of the 2D M k solutions was confirmed by the experimental data. It was found that the methods and M k solutions currently recommended in BS 7910 and DNVGL-RP-F108 are inappropriate for assessing a flaw at a girth weld root toe.

The objective of the present work is to carry out the strength assessment of jacket offshore wind turbine support structures subjected to progressive rupture. A defect existing in a structure made during the fabrication may turn into a small-scale rupture and because of the high-stress concentration and low-cycle fatigue load. Therefore, the ultimate load-carrying capacity of the support structure is analyzed accounting for the progress of the rupture until the leg component experiences a full rupture along its circumference. The effect of imperfection severity is also investigated. The moment–curvature relationship of the structure concerning the studied cases is presented. Furthermore, the jacket support structures, at different water depths, are also analyzed and discussed. Finally, some of the leg components are removed one by one to study the redundancy of the jacket support structure at 80-m water depth.

The present work aims at better understanding and predicting the thermal and structural responses of aluminum components subjected to welding, contributing to the design and fabrication of aluminum ships such as catamarans, lifesaving boats, tourist ships, and fast ships used in transportation or in military applications. Taken into consideration the moving heat source in metal inert gas (MIG) welding, finite element models of plates made of aluminum alloy are established and validated against published experimental results. Considering the temperature-dependent thermal and mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy, thermo-elasto-plastic finite element analyses are performed to determine the size of the heat-affected zone (HAZ), the temperature histories, the distortions, and the distributions of residual stresses induced by the welding process. The effects of the material properties on the finite element analyses are discussed, and a simplified model is proposed to represent the material properties based on their values at room temperature.

The slamming phenomenon often occurs when the bottom of a ship hits the seawater with a relatively high velocity in irregular waves. In extreme sea conditions, the slam-induced dynamic loads can be quite large resulting in local structural damages and/or global deformation of the panels, in particular when ships face head sea waves with high forward speed. In this respect, high-speed vessels are affected by the slamming phenomenon as they are built with thin steel plates or aluminum. The paper presents finite element simulations performed with the explicit ls-dyna solver of an aluminum stiffened plate subjected to extreme slamming loadings so as to evaluate the large plastic deformation and failure of the stiffened plate and the effect of the heat affected zone (HAZ) due to the welding using the mechanical properties of an aluminum alloy grade 5083-H116. The outcomes of this study identify the parameters that have importance when estimating the extent of structural deformation due to slamming loads.

The purpose of the present study is to investigate dynamic ultimate strength of global hull girder of container ships using large-scale nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA). A series of time domain nonlinear finite element (FE)-simulation is carried out using large-scale FE models of a 8000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container ship where a hogging moment is applied to the midship section. Five types of finite element models (three full models, a half hold model, a one transverse model) are used. These models adopt elastoplastic material model, which includes strain rate effect. The hogging moment, which is modeled by sinusoidal impulse, is applied to these models, and collapse mechanism as well as dynamic hull girder ultimate strength is investigated by varying the load time duration. Moreover, effects of load time duration, mass inertia, strain rate, and analysis models are investigated in detail. It is found from the present study that ultimate strength as well as collapse mode is significantly dependent on load time duration of hogging moment.

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.

Fluid structure interaction (FSI) simulations of the NREL 5 MW wind turbine are performed using a combination of two separate computational codes: abaqus for the finite element analysis (FEA) of turbine structures and STAR-CCM+ for the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes analysis of flow around the turbine. The main aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of using two-way coupled FSI simulations to predict the oscillation of the tower, as well as the rotor blades, of a full-scale wind turbine. Although the magnitude of the oscillation of the tower is much smaller than that of the blades, this oscillation is crucial for the assessment of the fatigue life of the tower. In this first part of the paper, the aerodynamic characteristics of the turbine predicted by the two-way coupled FSI simulations are discussed in comparison with those predicted by Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations of a rigid turbine. Also, two different computational domains with a cross-sectional size of 2D × 2D and 4D × 4D (where D is the rotor diameter) are employed to investigate the blockage effect. The fatigue life assessment of the turbine is planned to be reported in the second part of the paper in the near future.

Scientific studies dealing with mechanical vibration attenuation by means of piezoelectric actuators are mostly focused on special details of structure modeling through finite elements and the amount of attenuation that can be achieved. However, a little explored issue in the scientific literature is the size of the actuator in relation to the size of the vibrating structure and the voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator in order to achieve optimum vibration attenuation. This paper presents a theoretical and experimental study of mechanical vibration control of an aluminum plate with attached piezoelectric actuator. The aluminum plate was clamped at all four sides and a piezoelectric actuator based on lead zirconium titanate (PZT) was positioned at its center. Its natural frequency was close to 50 Hz, which is a frequency being constantly present on oil drilling platforms, producing annoying sound. The contribution of this paper is the determination of the relationship between the areas of the aluminum plate and the PZT actuator associated with the voltage value applied to the piezo-actuator for the purpose of vibration attenuation. The work demonstrates the possibility of the development of open-loop control using finite elements, to attenuate the vibration via piezoelectric actuator plates. This method makes it possible to vary the electric voltage across the piezoelectric actuator and/or the actuator dimensions involved, leading to the best attenuation condition. Numerical simulations and experimental results show the relation between size of the PZT actuator and the electric field which must be applied for best attenuation.

Inflatable devices that provide reserve buoyancy to damaged ships, preventing capsizing and/or sinking, along with lifting wreckages from the seabed, were studied within the framework of the European funded project “SuSy” (Surfacing System for Ship Recovery). Part of the work involved material evaluation and testing as well as simulations of the structural response. This paper first describes an orthotropic hyperelastic constitutive model for a candidate material also used in the fabrication of prototype inflatable devices. A strain energy density function is proposed that is further used to derive the stress and elasticity tensors required for the numerical implementation of the model in the user-defined subroutine (UMAT) of abaqus / standard . The second part of the paper presents the finite element simulation of the latter stages of inflation of two salvage devices inside an actual double bottom structure. The numerical results are in good agreement with tests conducted in dry land and under water, with the structure raised following the inflation of the devices. The evolving stress state in both the devices and the double bottom structure under increased contact interaction leads to useful conclusions for future use in the development of this salvage system.

This study illustrates a comparison of two numerical methods under a unified computational platform for solving fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems. The first is an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE)-based fluid model coupled to a structural finite element (FE) method (ALE-FE/FE), and the second is a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method coupled to the same structural FE code (SPH/FE). The predictive capabilities and computational efficiency of both the numerical methods are evaluated and validated against a canonical problem of a rapidly varying flow past an elastic gate for which experimental data are available. In both numerical solutions, the fluid flow is governed by the Navier–Stokes equation, and the elastic gate is modeled as a flexible structure. Numerical simulation results show that the ALE-FE/FE continuum approach not only captures the dynamic behavior properly but also predicts the water-free surface profiles and the elastic gate deformations accurately. On the other hand, the coupled purely Lagrangian approach of the SPH/FE under an identical computational platform is found to be less accurate and efficient in predicting the dynamics of the elastic gate motion and the water-free surface profiles.

A three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) model of top-tensioned riser (TTR) with hydropneumatic tensioner is proposed in this work. First, the tension calculation equation of the hydropneumatic system is derived, and the kinematic relationship of the platform–tensioner–riser system is established. Second, a 3D FEA model is established based on the FEA code ABAQUS , considering the actual riser string configuration and the Christmas tree. At last, four kinds of tensioner models, i.e., a constant vertical tension model, a conventional simplified model, a linear spring–damper model, and a nonlinear spring–damper model, are compared and analyzed in this study. Results show that the constant vertical tension model is not recommended as it cannot reflect the actual tension in the tensioner and the response of the TTR. The conventional simplified model indeed overestimates the tension of tensioner and may lead to inaccurate estimation results of the TTR response. The linear model is applicable when the environmental condition is relatively mild, but it is strongly recommended to use the nonlinear model especially in harsher environmental conditions.

Composite flexible pipe is used in the offshore oil and gas industry for the transport of hydrocarbons, jumpers connecting subsea infrastructure, and risers with surface platforms and facilities. Although the material fabrication costs are high, there are technical advantages with respect to installation and performance envelope (e.g., fatigue). Flexible pipe has a complex, composite section with each layer addressing a specific function (e.g., pressure containment, and axial load). Continuum finite element modeling (FEM) procedures are developed to examine the mechanical response of an unbonded flexible pipe subject to axisymmetric loading conditions. A parameter study examined the effects of: (1) pure torsion, (2) interlayer friction factor, (3) axial tension, and (4) external and internal pressure on the pipe mechanical response. The results demonstrated a coupled global-local mechanism with a bifurcation path for positive angles of twist relative to the tensile armor wire pitch angle. These results indicated that idealized analytical- and structural-based numerical models may be incomplete or may provide an accurate prediction of the pipe mechanical response. The importance of using an implicit solver to predict the bifurcation response and simulate contact mechanics between layers was highlighted.

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.

The rapid jack-in process of spudcan footing tends to generate substantial build-up of excess pore pressure below the spudcan underside. An intimate knowledge of the excess pore pressure concentration is thus of significance for understanding both the short-term and long-term mechanical behavior of spudcan. As yet there is a dearth of information in this area. This paper presents a comprehensive research to explore the pattern and magnitude of the excess pore pressure field surrounding an advancing spudcan. Both centrifuge experiments and effective-stress large deformation finite element analyses (LDFEAs) were involved, while the former served mainly to benchmark the latter and the latter provided a complete information database of the excess pore pressure. The bulb-shaped excess pore pressure concentration zone was identified below the spudcan underside. Sizes of pressure bulbs as well as the magnitudes of excess pore pressures inside them bore close relationship to the penetration depths and soil's properties. The results of parametric study led to the development of a simple yet useful approach to estimate the spudcan-penetration-induced excess pore pressure in soil without carrying out the complicated computation. Necessary charts and tables were provided to facilitate its usage. It is expected that the development of such an approach can aid the practicing engineer to obtain a quick and rough estimate of excess pore pressure generated in the midst of the jack-up spudcan penetration and prepare for its short-term and long-term implications.

With the application of innovative anchor concepts and advanced technologies in deepwater moorings, anchor behaviors in the seabed are becoming more complicated, such as 360 deg rotation of the anchor arm, gravity installation of anchors with high soil strain rate, and keying and diving (or penetration) of anchors. The anchor line connects the anchor and the anchor handling vessel (AHV) or floating moored platform. With moving of the AHV or platform, anchor line produces a space movement, and forms a reverse catenary shape and even a three-dimensional (3D) profile in the soil. Finite element analysis on the behaviors of anchor lines and deepwater anchors requires techniques that can deal with large strains and deformations of the soil, track changes in soil strength due to soil deformation, strain rate and strain softening effects, appropriately describe anchor–soil friction, and construct structures with connector elements to conform to their characteristics. This paper gives an overview of several key techniques in the coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (CEL) analysis of comprehensive behaviors of deepwater anchors, including construction of the embedded anchor line and the anchor line in the water, installation of gravity installed anchors (GIAs), keying or diving of drag anchors, suction embedded plate anchors (SEPLAs) and GIAs, and implementation of the omni-directional arm of GIAs. Numerical probe tests and comparative studies are also presented to examine the robustness and accuracy of the proposed techniques. The aim of this paper is to provide an effective numerical framework to analyze the comprehensive behaviors of anchor lines and deepwater anchors.

Shipping in ice-covered regions has gained high attention within recent years. Analogous to weather routing, the occurrence of ice in a seaway affects the selection of the optimal route with respect to the travel time or fuel consumption. The shorter, direct path between two points—which may lead through an ice-covered area—may require a reduction of speed and an increase in fuel consumption. A longer, indirect route, could be more efficient by avoiding the ice-covered region. Certain regions may have to be avoided completely, if the ice thickness exceeds the ice-capability of the ship. The objective of this study is to develop a computational method that combines coastline maps, route cost information (e.g., ice thickness), transport task, and ship properties to find the optimal route between port of departure, A, and port of destination, B. The development approach for this tool is to formulate the transport task in the form of a potential problem, solve this equation with a finite element method (FEM), and apply line integration and optimization to determine the best route. The functionality of the method is first evaluated with simple test problems and then applied to realistic transport scenarios.

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 aim of this study was to analyze the ultimate strength of stiffened aluminum panels by the nonlinear finite element method. A new type of stiffened aluminum alloy panel has been designed, which has fixed longitudinal and alternating floating transverse frames. Based on material tensile tests, the material properties of the aluminum alloy were obtained. Then, the simulation method of welding residual stresses and the effect of heat-affected zone (HAZ) are investigated. The finite element analysis (FEA) software abaqus V6.11 is used to estimate the ultimate strength of these stiffened panels under axial compression. The results show that: (1) the mechanical imperfections have significant effect on the ultimate strength of stiffened panels; (2) residual stresses may have positive effect on the ultimate strength; and (3) the new stiffened panels also have good performance on ultimate bearing capacities.

Soil resistance to pipeline axial displacement plays a key role in the ratcheting process known as “pipeline walking.” Still, it is not yet fully understood. New frameworks to address the different geotechnical aspects involved have recently been published. However, the current practice has been to lump all the time-dependent effects back into a single “equivalent” friction factor, based on a representative pipeline velocity. This paper argues that defining a single velocity as representative of the pipeline expansion (or contraction) is not trivial. While the pipeline ends might move a couple of meters in the few hours it takes to heat up, somewhere close to the middle it will move a few millimeters only. As a result, different levels of soil drainage, for example, are observed along the same pipeline, during the same loading. This paper presents the results of “true” velocity-dependent pipeline walking analyses and compares them to those obtained using constant equivalent friction factors. For the particular cases analyzed, the difference between the results obtained with the two approaches ranged from negligible up to about 30%. Examples show that the results of velocity-dependent pipeline walking analyses are significantly influenced by how the temperature changes over time along the pipeline length. The velocity-dependent model employed describes the axial soil resistance as a hyperbolic function of the pipe velocity. Additional aspects which are expected to influence the soil response (e.g., consolidation time between movements, progressive compression, and consolidation hardening) have been neglected.

During the pressure hull manufacturing, processes like cold bending and welding are often applied. These processes lead to permanent plastic deformations which are associated with residual stresses. The presence of residual stresses is equivalent to the introduction of an initial preload in the structure, which accelerates the plastification process, decreasing pressure hull resistance. To quantify this reduction, a case study that considers residual stresses due to cold bending on hull plates and frame flanges had been performed using finite element models. The study encompasses hull diameters of 6, 8, and 10 m with hull plates and frame flange thickness from 20 to 30 mm, with HY100 steel. Finite element numerical analyses were done considering material and geometric nonlinearities. First, the cold bending residual stresses were determined using finite element models. Then, these cold bending residual stresses were introduced as initial stresses in the submarine pressure hulls' finite element models. In the end, it was possible to verify that the presence of cold bending residual stress reduces the submarine hull collapse pressure up to 4.3%.