Session: 04-01-03 Flexible Pipes and Umbilicals III

Submission Number: 157299

Finite Element Analysis of Thermoplastic Composite Pipes Under Installation Loads 

In the design of Thermoplastic Composite Pipes (TCPs), it is crucial to consider the operational scenarios and the specific loads related to their installation because the imposed crushing and tensile loads may impact the structures’ integrity. Crushing loads result from radial compression applied by tensioner systems, which support the pipe’s weight and guide its descent. While this radial compression is essential for a controlled installation, the combined action of this load with the tensile loading associated with the pipe’s self-weight stresses the pipe significantly, making the pipe’s resistance to these installation loads a key design factor. Although previous studies have investigated the effects of tensile and crushing loads on conventional flexible pipes, the behavior of TCPs under similar installation loads has yet to be explored. Hence, the present study introduces a finite element (FE) model to analyze TCP behavior under both crushing and tensile loads to address this technological gap. Developed using ANSYS®️, the model incorporates three-dimensional solid elements to simulate the layers of the pipe as well as the shoes of the tensioner equipment. Load capacity curves were generated for a case study, illustrating the relationship between crushing and tensile loads under different failure criteria. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis on some lay-up configurations was conducted, providing insights into the influence of structural arrangement on load resistance.

Presenting Author: Inês Freitas UFRJ - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Presenting Author Biography: Civil Engineer graduated from the Federal University of Pará, with a Master's degree in Structures from COPPE/Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and PhD candidate in Structures at COPPE/Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. She is a researcher at the Laboratory of Analysis and Reliability of Offshore Structures (LACEO/UFRJ). Her main areas of expertise include thermoplastic composite pipes, hybrid flexible pipes, offshore structure analysis, numerical modeling of structures, and structural design and verification.