Modelling upheaval buckling in marine buried pipelines by coupling the shear stresses and soft soil stiffness

Buried marine pipelines employed in the Oil & Gas industry are subjected to pressure and temperature gradients, which cand produce local high compression loads leading to the onset of upheaval buckling failure. Upheaval buckling occurs when the localized stresses across the pipeline are high enough to induce constant deformation due to the low soil restriction in the upward direction. Therefore, models to predict upheaval buckling in buried marine pipes caused by high pressure and high temperature (HP/HT) and soil stiffness have been developed based on Euler-Bernoulli beam theory (EBT). However, this theory does not consider stresses and strains due to shear stresses which can play an important role in upheaval buckling failure. Therefore, in this work an analytical model that takes into account Engesser-Timoshenko beam theory (TBT) and considers the shear effects on pipelines was developed to predict upheaval buckling in buried marine pipelines. Furthermore, equations that govern vertical buckling of buried pipelines considering a plastic soil with initial imperfection were considered. Analytical results were compared with finite element models of buried pipeline and other models reported in the literature, and it was observed that analytical results fall in the range of those reposted in the literature. It was also observed that the incorporation of shear stresses in buried marine pipelines has low effect on upheaval buckling onset and propagation, but the soil stiffness has a strong influence on upheaval failure in buried marine pipelines.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on lateral buckling of submarine pipelines

Global buckling of a submarine pipeline during high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) operation results in a loss of pipeline stability that is similar to a bar in compression; this phenomenon constitutes one of the key factors affecting pipeline integrity and design. To intuitively study the buckling response, a test system was designed that can account for thermal loading and pipe-soil interactions, and this system was used to perform a series of small-scale model tests on the lateral buckling of submarine pipelines with different initial imperfections. Based on the hat-shaped buckling profiles of the test pipelines, a new buckling mode called "hat-shaped buckling" was proposed. In an attempt to study the conditions under which the pipeline exhibits this hat-shaped buckling mode, the changing law of the buckling mode was investigated through finite element analyses of pipelines with different parameters, including the length of the pipeline and the amplitude and wavelength of the initial imperfection. Subsequently, an analytical solution for calculating the buckling amplitude of a pipeline with a hat-shaped buckling profile was proposed. The theoretical solution was compared to the experimental data, which verified the feasibility of the model in calculating pipeline buckling deformation. The experimental data, the buckling mode based on these data and the corresponding analytical model discussed herein may provide a reference for future experimental studies of pipeline buckling.     

Imperfection study on lateral thermal buckling of subsea pipeline triggered by a distributed buoyancy section

Controlled lateral buckling is triggered by distributed buoyancy section at predesigned sites to release the axial force induced by high temperature and high pressure in subsea pipelines. Due to the larger diameter and smaller submerged weight of distributed buoyancy section, compared to the normal pipe section, imperfections are more easily introduced at the location of distributed buoyancy section. In this study, an analytical model is proposed to simulate lateral buckling triggered by a distributed buoyancy section for an imperfect subsea pipeline, which is validated by test data. Semi-analytical solutions are derived. First, snap-through buckling behaviour is discussed. Then the influence of initial imperfections on buckled configurations, post-buckling behaviour, displacement amplitude and maximum stress is discussed in detail. The results show that there is no snap-through phenomenon for large amplitude of initial imperfections, which appears only when the amplitude of imperfection is small enough. The displacement amplitude increases with the amplitude of initial imperfections, and it first increases and then decreases with wavelength of initial imperfection. Compared to a perfect pipeline, the maximum stress amplifies for relative small wavelength of initial imperfections. Therefore, a large enough wavelength of initial imperfection should be introduced.     

Snap behaviour in the upheaval buckling of subsea pipelines under topographic step imperfection

Pipelines exposed to high temperature and high pressure with a topographic step imperfection are susceptible to the phenomenon of upheaval buckling potentially leading to a hazard for the structural integrity of the pipeline. To analyse this problem we derive analytical upheaval buckling solutions and obtain the locations of maximum displacement and maximum axial compressive stress. We also analyse the typical post-buckling behaviour and its dependence on step height, axial soil resistance and wall thickness. The difference in behaviour between a pipeline with step imperfection and one with a symmetric prop imperfection is discussed. Our results show that a pipeline with a step imperfection is more prone to upheaval buckling than a perfect pipeline. For sufficiently small step heights the pipeline may suffer a snap-back instability under decreasing thermal loading, raising the possibility of hysteretic snap behaviour under cyclic thermal loading (for instance caused by periodic start-ups and shut-downs). The snap-back buckling disappears for large enough step height and the minimum critical temperature difference decreases with increasing step height and wall thickness or with decreasing axial soil resistance. The maximum compressive stress decreases with increasing step height and axial soil resistance or with decreasing wall thickness. A pipeline with step imperfection is safer than one with a symmetric prop imperfection.     

小径厚比深水管道的压溃屈曲研究

深水管道所处的特殊海洋环境极易导致其发生压溃屈曲破坏.通过深入分析不同径厚比深水管道的压溃屈曲特点,并对具有不同径厚比及初始椭圆度的深水管道模型进行了压溃屈曲及后屈曲行为的计算分析.研究发现,压溃屈曲的经典理论公式并不适用于小径厚比深水管道.文章基于经典理论和数值模拟结果,得到了适用于小径厚比深水管道压溃屈曲分析的临界压力修正公式,进而对小径厚比深水管道的压溃屈曲评估提供理论支撑和工程推荐.     

Three-dimensional pipeline element formulation for global buckling analysis of submarine pipelines with sleeper

Submarine pipelines can utilize sleepers to control global buckling location, which mitigates potential risks under high temperature and pressure. However, pipelines with sleepers require execution in three-dimensional space and experience lateral buckling modes. As such, this paper proposes a 3D pipeline element for lateral buckling analysis, building on previous 2D element formulations. This new element considers non-linear pipe-soil interactions, thermal expansion, axial load, initial imperfections, large deflection, and other major factors that affect lateral buckling. The derivations of the 3D pipeline element are provided in detail, and the numerical analysis procedure is elaborated. To validate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed 3D pipeline element, several examples are presented.     

Large deformation coupled analysis of embedded pipeline – Soil lateral interaction

Subsea pipelines buried in the seabed may undergo large lateral displacement under environmental, operational, and accidental loads at different interaction rates and hence different drainage conditions. The undrained shear strength is commonly used in practice to assess the pipe-soil interaction assuming a sufficiently high displacement rate. This approach neglects consolidation effects and the rate-dependent response of the soil and may significantly underestimates the lateral resistance for a pipeline moving slowly relative to the ground. In this study, a coupled large deformation finite element (LDFE) framework is developed via a remeshing and interpolation technique with small strain (RITSS). A Modified Cam-Clay (MCC) model with efficient numerical integration is used. The proposed coupled LDFE framework is verified against selected physical model tests. Effects of the interaction rate and hence drainage condition on the p-y curve, excess pore pressure generation and dissipation, and failure mechanisms are discussed. An empirical relationship between the ultimate resistance and the normalized velocity of the pipe (denoting the drainage condition) is proposed, which may be applied for the integrity and safety analysis of buried pipes in landslide or fault-crossing regions.     

FEM-based evaluation of friction and initial imperfections effects on sandwich pipes local buckling

Sandwich pipes have been studied as one option to overcome the high pressure problems in deep and ultra-deep waters. They have become a possible alternative solution for submarine infrastructure due to its thermal insulation capacity. This contribute to preventing the pipeline from clogging due to the difference in temperature between reservoir fluids and water at the bottom of the sea. The pipelines in ultra-deepwater are continually exposed to severe operating conditions, such as the effect of high levels of external pressure that can cause local deformation or even collapse of the pipe. Thus, a greater understanding of the mechanical behavior of sandwich pipes is required. This paper presents a FEM-based evaluation of friction and initial imperfection effects on sandwich pipes local buckling. The non-linear evaluation was carried out in FEM of local buckling of two sandwich pipes, with polypropylene and cement as filled annular material. The influence of initial imperfections and the degree of friction, between the annular material and the steel pipes, as well as geometric variations of the pipe were considered. The numerical simulations results indicate a capacity to withstand ultra-deep waters collapsing pressures, around 3000 m, either for polypropylene or cement filled annular material model. In addition, the results indicate that the collapse pressure is inversely proportional to the increase in annular thickness and directly proportional to the decrease in friction which have an impact and contribution on the carrying capacity of the sandwich pipe. Further research will consider a design of experiments analysis of reported effects for different diameter-to-thickness ratios.     

海底埋设管线平管起吊运动分析

基于有限元软件OrcaFlex,充分考虑不规则波浪、海流、管土相互作用以及船舶管线耦合运动,建立海底埋设管线平管起吊模型。参考DNV-RP-F110计算埋深管道受到的土壤阻力,依据DNV-RP-C205确定相关水动力系数。通过数值模拟研究分析管线在平管起吊过程中管道的运动响应以及吊绳张力的时间历程变化,为实际海底管线平管起吊提供一定理论参考。     

回填刚度对深埋管道横向响应影响的试验研究（英文）

Subsea pipelines passing through the shallow area are physically protected against the environmental, accidental, and operational loads by trenching and backfilling. Depending on construction methodology, environmental loads, and seabed soil properties, the stiffness of backfilling material may become largely different from the native ground(softer than native ground in most of the cases). The different stiffness between the backfill and native ground affects the soil failure mechanisms and lateral soil resistance against large pipeline displacements that may happen due to ground movement, landslides, ice gouging, and drag embedment anchors. This important aspect is not considered by current design codes. In this paper, the effect of trench-backfill stiffness difference on lateral pipeline-backfill-trench interaction was investigated by performing centrifuge tests. The soil deformations and failure mechanisms were obtained by particle image velocimetry(PIV) analysis. Three experiments were conducted by using three different backfills including loose sand, slurry, and chunky clay that represent the purchased, natural in-fill, and preexcavated materials, respectively. The study shows that the current design codes underestimate the lateral soil resistance for small to moderate pipe displacements inside the trench and overestimate it for large lateral displacement, where the pipeline is penetrating into the trench wall.     

Comparisons of calculations with experiments on the ultimate strength of wide stiffened panels

Five specimens of wide stiffened panel with four stiffeners under axial compression until collapse are studied with a nonlinear finite element analysis and Common Structural Rules to compare with the experimental results. The stiffened panel models have two longitudinal bays to produce reasonable boundary condition at the end of edges. Tension tests have been conducted to obtain the material properties of the steel that are used in the finite element analysis. Three boundary condition configurations are adopted to investigate their influence on the collapse behaviour of the stiffened panels. A displacement transducer was used to measure the initial geometrical imperfections of the stiffened plates. The collapse behaviour of the stiffened panels is analysed in finite element analysis with the measured initial imperfections and with nominal imperfections. An equivalent initial imperfection is validated for the ultimate strength of stiffened panel under compressive load until collapse for the panels under consideration. With the same imperfection amplitude, the shape of the column-type initial deflection of stiffeners affects significantly the collapse shape, but only slightly the ultimate strength and the mode of collapse of the stiffened panels. The 1/2 + 1 + 1/2 bays model with restrained boundary condition BC3 gives an adequate FE modelling and is possible to be fabricated in experiment.     

浅埋海底管线防护的设计方法研究

浅埋海底管线由于外部环境荷载的改变,必然引起一定的附加应力。在这种条件下,必须对管线采取防护措施。提出了浅埋海底管线的防护方案,并应用有限元方法,建立了同时考虑土体-结构-海底管线三者耦合作用的二维有限元分析模型,对采取保护措施的海底管线进行应力的分析计算,计算结果表明所采用的防护方案是合理的。     

海底管线抗液化试验研究

地震时砂土液化是造成海底管线大量破坏的主要原因之一。国际上的专家对地震液化情况进行了大量的试验和分析，得出了很多有价值的结论。现在已经有多种抗液化措施应用于实际工程，防止地震砂土液化对海底管线造成严重破坏。地震砂土液化情况下，海底管线的主要破坏形式是管线上浮。提出用翼形板加固管线进行抗液化的新措施，并通过振动台的对比试验验证了新措施的可行性。对实际工程具有重大意义。     

大面积地表荷载作用下的埋深管线的应力分析

当地下埋深管线两侧受到不同的附加压力时,由于压差的存在使管线发生了弯曲变形。弯矩的产生可能导致管线的破坏。根据埋深管线的受力特点,采用弹性地基梁的短梁初端参数法对渤西管线的应力进行了分析。根据管线的埋深条件对边界条件进行了正确的处理,求得了管线的位移,弯矩及剪力方程,并绘制了位移,弯矩及剪力方程曲线,曲线之间具有一一对应的关系,计算的结果表明了对边界处理的正确性及理论选择的合理性。     

壁厚所致几何不连续性对卷管法安装管道的影响

对于深水管道,止屈器起到了很好的防止屈曲传播的作用,但是在卷管法安装中,管道在上卷和退卷的过程中将产生塑性变形,而由于止屈器导致的管道壁厚几何不连续性将使局部管段的变形增大,可能加剧塑性变形的影响。针对这个问题,建立ABAQUS非线性有限元模型模拟管道安装过程,研究上述问题对卷管铺管中管道性能的影响并作参数敏感性分析。结果表明,壁厚所致几何不连续性的存在导致卷管安装时管道局部曲率及应变明显增大;回拉力、管径与卷筒直径之比及管道壁厚等参数也将产生影响。另外,增加回拉力可降低上述不连续性的影响,但管道残余椭圆度也将增加;增大卷筒半径（或减小管道直径）将使不连续性的影响降低;增大管道壁厚可降低不连续性影响,但随之建造成本也将增加。本文研究结论可为卷管法安装中管道设计提供理论指导。     

含初缺陷损伤圆拱的动力屈曲

由Hamilton原理导出考虑初始缺陷及横向剪切变形时裂纹圆拱的动力屈曲控制方程;应用断裂力学中常用的线弹簧模型将裂纹引入到屈曲控制方程中;基于B-R动力屈曲判断准则,采用数值方法求解了受径向均布阶跃载荷作用时裂纹圆拱的动力屈曲;对比讨论了不同载荷幅值、裂纹长度、初始几何缺陷大小等因素对圆拱动力屈曲性能的影响.     

Assessment of submarine pipeline damages subjected to falling object impact considering the effect of seabed

Untrenched submarine pipelines lying on the seabed are vulnerable and can be damaged by the impact of falling objects. This may cause significant economic costs for repair and even environmental contamination in case of rupture and oil leakage. This paper presents assessment of submarine pipeline damage subjected to falling object impact considering the effect of seabed through nonlinear explicit dynamic finite element modelling. The numerical model was first verified against existing experimental results and established studies. A total of 209 cases of parametric study was then conducted to assess pipeline damage by accounting for various factors, including object mass, velocity and seabed conditions. The results show that the pipeline damage can be directly related to the impact kinetic energy of the falling object for pipelines sitting on rigid bed. In other words, falling objects with the same impact energy (while mass and velocity may vary) cause the same damage to a pipeline. For a pipeline on a soil seabed, however, this study shows that pipeline damage is no longer simplistically determined by the impact kinetic energy of the falling objects. Falling objects with different mass and velocity may cause different pipeline damages, even though the impact energy is the same. It is interesting to find out that objects with a smaller mass (i.e. higher velocity) tend to cause greater damage than objects with a greater mass (i.e. lower velocity), when the total impact kinetic energy of the falling objects is the same. These observations are explored in this paper, which is explained with the variation of the energy absorption due to the existence of soil seabed.     

现役散货船板架结构稳定性研究

本文对现役散货船双层底结构的稳定性能进行研究,讨论了结构缺陷对稳定性的影响,提出带缺陷结构的稳定性计算方法,得出了计算双层底板架结构的非线性有限元方法,通过实例计算,证明了该方法的正确性与有效性.并讨论了装载情况对双层底结构稳定性的影响,将有限元方法的计算结果与工程中常用的正交异性板方法计算结果进行比较分析,得出了正交异性板方法的计算结果与实际结构承载能力的差距,并依此给出一修正系数,使正交异性板方法能更好地应用于实际工程.本文还对部分骨材开裂的双层底板架进行了非线性有限元分析,得出不同开裂情况下板架的临界载荷.最后文中还通过实船检测资料,对存在着腐蚀缺陷的双层底结构进行了缺陷分析,并与理想结构的临界载荷进行比较,得出了腐蚀状况对结构的稳定性的影响规律.     

Propagating buckles in corroded pipelines

Rigid–plastic solutions for the steady-state, quasi-static buckle propagation pressure in corroded pipelines are derived and compared to finite element predictions (ABAQUS). The corroded pipeline is modeled as an infinitely long, cylindrical shell with a section of reduced thickness that is used to describe the corrosion. A five plastic hinge mechanism is used to describe plastic collapse of the corroded pipeline. Closed-form expressions are given for the buckle propagation pressure as a function of the amount of corrosion in an X77 steel pipeline. Buckles that propagate down the pipeline are caused by either global or snap-through buckling, depending on the amount of corrosion. Global buckling occurs when the angular extent of the corrosion is greater than 90°. When the angular extent is less than 90° and the corrosion is severe, snap-through buckling takes place. The buckle propagation pressure and the corresponding collapse modes also compare well to finite element predictions.     

不同覆盖层对海底管道受落锚冲击防护有效性的试验研究

海底管道是海上油气工程的重要基础设施。随着港口运输规模的不断扩大和海洋油气工程的快速发展,港口航道区域与海底管道登陆段发生重叠情况不可避免。第三方活动造成的坠落物撞击(如船舶落锚),会威胁航道下方埋设的海底管道的结构安全。为了寻求合理的防护措施,保证海底管道的安全运行,有必要对落锚引起的管道动态响应进行研究。文章采用物理模型实验的方法,对管道上方覆盖的纯块石层、混凝土块层+块石层、混凝土块层+橡胶垫+块石层、柔性防护垫层+块石层等不同防护形式的有效性进行了对比研究。利用光纤布拉格光栅(FBG)传感器实时测量管道表面的动态应变响应,分析其沿管道的轴向变化以及极值分布。通过模型试验确定了相对有效的覆盖层形式及设计厚度,为海底管道的设计和维护提供了重要依据。