Local joint flexibility of tubular X-joints stiffened with external ring or external plates

In the present paper, the Local Joint Flexibility (LJF) of the ring-stiffened X-joints and plate-stiffened X-joints under compressive load is investigated. In the first phase, a finite element (FE) model was generated and verified with the results of available experimental tests and equations. In the next phase, a set number of 234 FE models were created to evaluate the role of the external ring size (β_r and τ_r), the external plate size (β_p and τ_p), and the connection geometry (γ, τ, and β) on the LJF factor (f_LJF). In these FE models, the weld connecting the chord and brace members was generated. The results indicated that the f_LJF of a plate stiffened joint can be down to 76% of the f_LJF of the corresponding un-stiffened joint. Also, the effect of the ring size on the f_LJF was more than the effect of the plate size on the f_LJF, because of the stiffener position. Despite the notable effect of the ring and the plate on the f_LJF, there is not any study or formula on tubular connections stiffened with ring or plate. Therefore, the FE results were used to propose two parametric formulas for determining the f_LJF in X-joints with external ring or external plate under brace compressive load. Moreover, the derived formulas were checked based on the UK DoE acceptance criteria.     

SCFs in tubular X-joints retrofitted with FRP under out-of-plane bending moment

This paper presents a parametric study on the stress concentration factors (SCFs) on the chord member in tubular X-connections reinforced with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) under out-of-plane bending moment. For this aim, a FE model was generated and validated using several available experimental tests. After that, a set of 276 FE models was created to evaluate the effect of the FRP (layer number, orientation, and material) and joint geometry (γ, τ, and β) on the SCFs. In these FE models, the contact between the FRP sheets and the steel members (chord, weld, and braces) was modeled. Results indicated that the rise of the FRP laminate number causes a notable drop of the SCFs, especially in the connections with big γ. Moreover, the increment of the elastic modulus of FRP along the fibers causes a notable decrease of the SCF. Results showed that, for certain geometrical parameters set, the SCF in an X-connection retrofitted with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) can be down to 23% of the SCF in the associated un-retrofitted connection. Despite the notable efficacy of the FRP sheets on the drop of the SCFs in the X-connections, there is not any study or equation on the X-connections with FRP. Therefore, an equation was proposed for quantifying the SCFs in the X-connections with FRP.     

Stress concentration factors in tubular T/Y-connections reinforced with FRP under in-plane bending load

Stress concentration factors (SCFs) in steel tubular T/Y-connections strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) are investigated. In the first step, a finite element (FE) model was developed and verified using data of several available experimental tests and empirical formulas. After that, 134 FE models of T/Y-joints with and without FRP were created and analyzed under in-plane bending (IPB) load. In the FE models, the contact between the FRP layers and the members (chord, brace, and weld) was defined. Results showed that the increase of the FRP layer number leads to the notable decrease of the SCFs. Also, the SCFs of a T/Y-joint reinforced with FRP can be down to 40% of the SCF of the corresponding unreinforced joint. Finally, FE results were used to propose two parametric formulas for determining the SCFs in the T/Y-joints strengthened with FRP subjected to IPB load. The proposed formulas were checked according to the UK Department of Energy acceptance criteria.     

The ultimate strength of doubler plate reinforced Y-joints under compression loading

It is common practice in the offshore industry to solve the punching shear problem due to compression by using doubler plate. The finite-element method is a useful tool for studying this problem. The aim of this paper is to study the static strength of doubler plate reinforced Y-joints subjected to compression loading. The finite-element method is adopted in numerical parametric studies. The individual influences of the geometric parameters βand τd （ doubler plate to chord wall thickness ratio） and ld/d1 （ dubler plate length to brace diameter ratio） on the ultimate strength are made clear. The results show the size of plate may have important effects on the strength of reinforced joints. It is found that the ultimate strength of Y-joints reinforced with appropriately proportioned doubler plates can be greatly improved nearly up tothree times to un-reinforced Y-joints.     

Stress concentration factors in FRP-reinforced tubular DKT joints under axial loads

The stress concentration factors (SCFs) in uniplanar fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) DKT joints are calculated under five axial loading conditions to determine the maximum SCFs. To this end, 108 finite element models of reinforced DKT joints with different FRPs and geometrical parameters are analysed. Available experimental data and formulas are used to validate the finite element models. The validated finite element models are utilized to investigate the effects of the FRP parameters along with different geometrical parameters on the stress concentration factors in uniplanar DKT joints. The simulations show a reduction of the maximum SCF by around 40% compared to unreinforced DKT joints. The reduction effect increases significantly with increasing the FRP thickness and the number of layers. Despite the notable efficacy of the FRP sheets on the drop of the SCFs in the X-connections, there is not any study or equation on the X-joints with FRP. Therefore, a precise equation is proposed for quantifying the SCFs in X-connections with FRP and is checked against the UK DoE acceptance standard.     

Study on hot spot stress distribution of three-planar tubular Y-joints subjected to in-plane bending moment

The three-planar tubular Y-joint (3Y-joint) is the main part of the fatigue assessment of tripod substructures of offshore wind turbines (OWTs). As typical multiplanar tubular joints, 3Y-joints are affected a lot by multiplanar interaction between braces. Moreover, the locations of hot spot stress (HSS) can vary considerably under different load types. Thus, the distributions of stress concentration factor (SCF) and multiplanar interaction factor (MIF) along weld toe curves are necessary to calculate HSS. Considering these requirements, this study focuses on the 3Y-joint considering the wide application of the tripod substructure of OWT. A finite element (FE) analysis method is introduced and validated. Then, a numerical database is established covering common ranges of parameters used in practice. The SCF and MIF of 3Y-joint under in-plane bending moment are analyzed. Distribution formulas are proposed and proved suitable for calculating HSS in engineering design.     

轴力作用下T节点焊缝周围的平均应力分布

平均应力模型法是评价海洋平台中管节点疲劳寿命的一种方法,这种方法认为节点的疲劳寿命是由热点应力幅值和焊缝周围的应力分布确定的。管节点焊缝周围应力分布通过一个平均应力分布参数AVS描述。本文研究了轴力作用下T节点的AVS大小,通过对127个不同几何参数的T节点模型的计算,调查了几何参数对AVS的影响,提出了用于计算AVS的参数方程,从而完善了传统的平均应力模型,为轴力作用下T节点的疲劳寿命计算提供了一种快速而高效的方法。     

The effect of weld residual stress on fracture toughness at the intersection of two welding lines of offshore tubular structure

Due to the spatial complexity and fabrication characteristics of offshore platforms, it is inevitable to encounter overlaps or proximity of weld lines in tubular joints. Several international standards such as American Petroleum Institute (API), American Welding Society (AWS), and American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) regulate the minimum distance between primary weld beads; however, any logical and detailed background of this limitation has not been presented. For a non-compliant weld joint where the regulation is not met, fracture toughness calculation is a typical index to verify the structural integrity.This research consists of two parts. First, weld residual stress distributions are calculated by a 3D thermo-mechanical nonlinear Finite Element Analysis. Two crossing welds, a T-weld crossing on a butt weld, are simulated in one model. A separate tee and a butt welding simulations are also performed for a comparative purpose. Second, SIFs and J-integral values are calculated at the surface and deepest crack tip locations for four different types of semi-elliptical surface cracks. Four cracks are embedded into the weld model and the residual stress distribution from the 3D thermo-mechanical FEA are mapped to a 3D FE crack model as initial conditions. An additional axial tensile load is also imposed. SIF values are compared with those using the weighting function method for the butt weld model subject to three load cases, i.e., tensile stress only, weld residual stress only, and both of them. From the simulation, a tubular joint containing a chord girth weld intersected with weld beads of brace is found to show lower the SIF values than that having only a girth weld on chord.     

超声冲击处理对高强钢焊接接头残余应力影响的数值模拟

超声冲击处理(UIT)是一种有效的焊后改善焊接接头疲劳性能的工艺措施,其借助机械撞击和超声振动的共同作用,使焊趾表面产生塑性变形从而引入有益的压缩残余应力。为评价UIT技术对焊接接头残余应力的影响,该文提出了一套新的数值分析方法,包括焊接数值模拟及随后的超声冲击处理过程的动态弹塑性有限元分析。在有限元模型中考虑了实际的工艺参数和超声促成的材料软化效应。以船用高强钢AH36非承载十字焊接接头为研究对象,将预测的超声冲击处理前后的残余应力分布与实验结果进行对比,两者有较好的吻合。在此基础上,探讨了静态预载荷对超声冲击处理态残余应力再分布的影响。     

Geometric stress distribution along the weld toe of the outer brace in two-planar tubular DKT-joints: Parametric study and deriving the SCF design equations

Regarding the research efforts expended so far on the calculation of stress concentration factors (SCFs) in tubular joints, two major shortcomings can be noted: (a) significant effort has been devoted to the study of SCFs in various uni-planar connections. Nevertheless, for multi-planar joints which cover the majority of practical applications, very few investigations have been reported due to the complexity and high cost involved; (b) majority of these research works focused on the study of SCFs at certain positions such as the saddle, crown toe, and crown heel, and they have ignored the hot-spot stress (HSS) at other positions along the weld toe. In the present paper, effects of dimensionless geometrical parameters on the SCF distribution along the weld toe of main (outer) braces in the axially loaded right-angle two-planar tubular DKT-joints are investigated. In order to study the multi-planar effect, SCF distribution in two-planar joints is compared with the distribution in a uni-planar joint having the same geometrical properties. A complete set of SCF database is constructed based on the two-planar DKT-joint Finite element models which are verified against experimental results and the predictions of Lloyd’s Register (LR) equations. The FE models cover a wide range of geometrical parameters. Six new SCF parametric formulae are developed through nonlinear regression analyses for the accurate and reliable fatigue design of two-planar DKT-joints under axial loads. An assessment study of these equations is conducted against the experimental data, the original FEM database and the acceptance criteria recommended by the UK Department of Energy.     

对接接头焊趾应力集中有限元分析

研究焊缝几何参数对应力集中的影响,对于提高焊接结构疲劳强度有重要的意义.本文采用有限元方法,计算了双侧对称加强高和单侧加强高的对接接头焊趾处的应力集中系数,分析了几个主要参数,包括焊趾倾角、焊趾过渡圆弧半径和板厚对于应力集中系数的影响,研究了焊趾处应力集中沿板厚方向的变化情况,在分析大量计算结果的基础上给出了估算两种形式的对接接头应力集中系数的经验公式.结果表明,减小焊趾倾角,增大过渡圆弧半径,可以减缓焊趾处截面形状的变化,改善焊趾处的应力集中;板厚的增加使得应力集中系数增大.并且单侧加强高的对接接头应力集中系数小于双侧对称加强高对接接头的,其减小幅度只与θ有关.     

Experimental study on the wave-induced dynamic response and hydrodynamic characteristics of a submerged floating tunnel with elastically truncated boundary condition

Hydrodynamic load and motion response are the first considerations in the structural design of a submerged floating tunnel (SFT). Currently, most of the relevant studies have been based on a two-dimensional model test with a fixed or fully free boundary condition, which inhibits a deep investigation of the hydrodynamic characteristics with an elastic constraint. As a result, a series of difficulties exist in the structural design and analysis of an SFT. In this study, an SFT model with a one-degree-of-freedom vertical elastically truncated boundary condition was established to investigate the motion response and hydrodynamic characteristics of the tube under the wave action. The effect of several typical hydrodynamic parameters, such as the buoyancy-weight ratio, γ, the relative frequency, f/f_N, the Keulegan–Carpenter (KC) number, the reduced velocity, U_r, the Reynolds number, Re, and the generalized Ursell_s number, on the motion characteristics of the tube, were selectively analyzed, and the reverse feedback mechanism from the tube's motion response to the hydrodynamic loads was confirmed. Finally, the critical hydrodynamic parameters corresponding to the maximum motion response at different values of γ were obtained, and a formula for calculating the hydrodynamic load parameters of the SFT in the motion state was established. The main conclusions of this study are as follows: (i) Under the wave action, the motion of the SFT shows an apparent nonlinearity, which is mainly caused by the intensive interaction between the tube and its surrounding water particles, as well as the nonlinearity of the wave. (ii) The relative displacement of the tube first increases and then decreases with increasing values of f/f_N, U_r, KC number, Re, and the generalized Ursell_s number. (iii) γ is inversely proportional to the maximum relative displacement of the tube and the wave force on the tube in its motion direction. (iv) Under the motion boundary condition (as opposed to the fixed boundary condition), the peak frequency of the wave force on the SFT in its motion direction decreases and approaches the natural vibration frequency of the tube, whereas the wave force perpendicular to the motion direction increases. When the incident wave frequency is close to the natural vibration frequency of the tube, the tube resonates easily, leading to an increased wave force in the motion direction. (v) If the velocity in the Morison equation is substituted by the water particle velocity measured when the tube is at its equilibrium position, the inertia coefficient in the motion direction of the tube is linearly related to its displacement, whereas that in the direction perpendicular to the motion direction is logarithmically related to its displacement.     

Study on the preciseness of hot spot stress of web-stiffened cruciform welded joints derived from shell finite element analyses

A new simple and accurate shell FE-based structural Hot Spot Stress (HSS) determination method for web-stiffened cruciform joints has been proposed. Local stress of welded joints in full-scale bulk carrier (BC)’s lower stool models subject to bending and pressure loadings are examined. HSSs determined by the proposed method are compared with those derived by Lotsberg’s method and the conventional 0.5t-1.5t extrapolation. As results, following are found:

(1)

The local stress of full-scale BC lower stool models with various stool angle and plate thickness can be calculated accurately solely from shell FE results by means of the proposed method.

(2)

HSSs of welded joints in full-scale BC lower stool models subject to bending and pressure loadings derived by the proposed method show good agreement with the target HSSs determined from fine solid models. This demonstrates the validity of the proposed method for actual ship structures under the real load.

(3)

The excessive safety allowance of HSS determined by the conventional 0.5t-1.5t extrapolation can be reduced substantially by adopting Lotsberg’s method or our proposal. The proposed HSS determination method gives more accurate estimates compared to Lotsberg’s method under the conditions chosen, and the application range of the proposed method is equal to or wider than Lotsberg’s method.

     

弹性支撑低质量比圆柱涡激振动数值模拟

近年来,随着深海石油工业的发展,立管的涡激振动现象越来越受学者们关注.使用RANS方程求解器,并结合SST κ-ω湍流模型,对横向和流向自然频率比为1的低质量比弹性支撑圆柱体的两自由度运动进行了数值模拟,计算雷诺数范围为5 300至32 000.采用四阶Runge-Kutta方法求解柱体的振动方程.并结合近期物理实验结果对升力系数、阻力系数、位移和尾涡模式进行了详细比较和讨论.较好地再现了试验观察到的锁定、迟滞、差拍等现象.     

Fatigue crack growth behaviour of A5083 series aluminium alloys and their welded joints

We investigated the difference in fatigue behaviour between the aluminium alloys A5083-O and A5083-H321, which are used as structural components in ships and high speed craft. We obtained S–N curves for the base materials and the welded joints made of A5083-O. The relationships between the fatigue crack propagation rates and the stress intensity factor ranges ΔK, ΔK _eff and ΔK _RPG (Toyosada et al. in Int J Fatigue 26(9):983–992, 2004) were determined. Additionally, the evolution of fatigue crack growth for the base materials and the welded joints made of A5083-O was measured. We also carried out numerical simulations of fatigue crack growth for both base metals and their welded joints made of A5083-O. The difference in fatigue crack growth behaviour for each alloy and the validity of the numerical simulations of fatigue crack growth based on the RPG stress criterion (Toyosada et al. 2004) in the base materials and their welded joints was investigated.     

Prediction of wave parameters by using fuzzy inference system and the parametric models along the south coasts of the Black Sea

Forecasting of sea-state characteristics has a great importance in coastal and ocean engineering studies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate performances of Adaptive-Network-Based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and several parametric methods in the Black Sea. For this purpose, different fuzzy models with different input combinations were developed for two different wind data sources (TSMS and ECMWF) at two offshore buoy stations. It also aimed to apply several approaches to event-based data sets for wave predictions. Generally, in literature the tendency is to use time series data for wave predictions. In this kind of prediction approach, lagged time series data are taken as inputs and current or future variables are taken as output. In this study, event-based data for each independent storm were extracted from time series data. Simultaneous or concurrent data of wind speed, blowing duration, fetch length and wave characteristics were detected for each single storm. These event data were then used to set up models. The hindcast results were validated with significant wave height and mean wave period data recorded in Hopa and Sinop buoy stations. The performance of developed fuzzy models were also compared with that of four different parametric methods (Wilson, SPM, Jonswap, and CEM methods) applied for two wind data sources at both buoy stations. Finally, it was determined that in the prediction of both wave parameters (H _s and T _z) the ANFIS models (R = 0.66, squared correlation coefficient, and MAE = 0.37 m, mean absolute error, for the best model in prediction of H _s) were more accurate than the parametric methods (R = 0.63 and MAE = 0.75 m for the best model in prediction of H _s).     

Stress magnification effect of initial deformation on the notch stress field and fatigue strength of thin plate welded joints

Compared with thick plate welded joint, the welding joint of thin plate will produce initial deformation due to its low bending rigidity. The existence of initial deformation will cause the welded structure to produce secondary bending effect, which will produce greater stress magnification effect at the weld toe and seriously affect the fatigue strength of thin plate welded joints. Therefore, based on the correction formula of thick plate, considering the influence of initial deformation and geometric nonlinearity of thin plate, this paper deduces the stress magnification factor formula at the weld toe of T-shaped and cruciform specimens. The accuracy of the revised formula is further verified by comparing the notch stress calculated by the modified formula with the FE results. Finally, the modified formula is applied to the notch stress and fatigue evaluation of typical thin plate welded joints respectively. The results show that the proposed notch stress calculation formula can fully consider the stress amplification effect of thin plate structure, and can be used to quickly evaluate the notch stress field and fatigue strength of thin plate welded joints.     

CFD simulation of fixed and variable pitch vertical axis tidal turbine

In this paper, hydrodynamic analysis of vertical axis tidal turbine (both fixed pitch & variable pitch) is numerically analyzed. Two-dimensional numerical modeling & simulation of the unsteady flow through the blades of the turbine is performed using ANSYS CFX, hereafter CFX, which is based on a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model. A transient simulation is done for fixed pitch and variable pitch vertical axis tidal turbine using a Shear Stress Transport turbulence (SST) scheme. Main hydrodynamic parameters like torque T, combined moment C _M , coefficients of performance C _P and coefficient of torque C _T , etc. are investigated. The modeling and meshing of turbine rotor is performed in ICEM-CFD. Moreover, the difference in meshing schemes between fixed pitch and variable pitch is also mentioned. Mesh motion option is employed for variable pitch turbine. This article is one part of the ongoing research on turbine design and developments. The numerical simulation results are validated with well reputed analytical results performed by Edinburgh Design Ltd. The article concludes with a parametric study of turbine performance, comparison between fixed and variable pitch operation for a four-bladed turbine. It is found that for variable pitch we get maximum C _P and peak power at smaller revolution per minute N and tip sped ratio λ.     

双平面焊接圆管截面DKT节点的中心撑杆鞍点及冠点位置的应力集中系数(英文)

A set of parametric stress analyses was carried out for two-planar tubular DKT-joints under different axial loading conditions.The analysis results were used to present general remarks on the effects of the geometrical parameters on stress concentration factors(SCFs) at the inner saddle,outer saddle,and crown positions on the central brace.Based on results of finite element(FE) analysis and through nonlinear regression analysis,a new set of SCF parametric equations was established for fatigue design purposes.An assessment study of equations was conducted against the experimental data and original SCF database.The satisfaction of acceptance criteria proposed by the UK Department of Energy(UK DoE) was also checked.Results of parametric study showed that highly remarkable differences exist between the SCF values in a multi-planar DKT-joint and the corresponding SCFs in an equivalent uni-planar KT-joint having the same geometrical properties.It can be clearly concluded from this observation that using the equations proposed for uni-planar KT-connections to compute the SCFs in multi-planar DKT-joints will lead to either considerably under-predicting or over-predicting results.Hence,it is necessary to develop SCF formulae specially designed for multi-planar DKT-joints.Good results of equation assessment according to UK DoE acceptance criteria,high values of correlation coefficients,and the satisfactory agreement between the predictions of the proposed equations and the experimental data guarantee the accuracy of the equations.Therefore,the developed equations can be reliably used for fatigue design of offshore structures.     

A design equation for evaluation of strain concentration factor in concrete coated X65 pipelines

An extensive parametric study using detailed nonlinear finite element (FE) models, was conducted in order to develop a design equation for predicting Strain Concentration Factor (SCF) in field joints of X65 concrete coated pipelines under bending. Dimensions of the pipeline and coating, material properties of the coating and anti corrosion layer, as well as the loading level, were included in the design equation. Buckingham's theorem was incorporated to simplify the equation by introducing non-dimensionalized parameters. The design equation was fitted to FE data using the nonlinear least square regression, while additionally, margins of safety were defined using the confidence interval concept for practical applications. The interactive effect of parameters on SCF was studied, leading to the introduction of a single non-dimensional “coating parameter” that can accurately describe the upper limit of the SCF. This study concluded with a definition of a critical “coating parameter” which can be used to assess safe combinations of coating thickness and installation loads, thus preventing excessive strain concentration.