A Validated Methodology to Establish Structural Capacities for Subsea Connector Families

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael John Stephens ◽  
Simon John Roberts ◽  
Derek James Bennet
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Structural Testing ◽  
Combined Loading ◽  
Test Sequence ◽  
Fea Model ◽  
Analysis Methodology ◽  
Industry Standards ◽  
Physical Testing

Abstract Understanding the structural limits of subsea connectors used in offshore environments is critical to ensure safe operations. The latest industry standards establish the requirement for physical testing to validate analysis methodologies for connector designs. In this paper, an analysis methodology, compliant with the latest API 17G standard, is presented for calculating structural capacities of non-preloaded connectors. The methodology has been developed for complex combined loading scenarios and validated using full-scale physical testing for different connector families. Detailed 3-D, non-linear, finite element models were developed for three different non-preloaded connections, which consisted of threaded and load shoulder connectors. A comprehensive set of combined tension and bending moment structural capacities at normal, extreme and survival conditions were calculated for each connection. The calculated capacities were validated for each connection by performing a test sequence using full-scale structural testing. A final tension or bending to failure test was also completed for each test connection to validate the physical failure mode, exceeding the latest API 17G requirements. For all connections tested, capacities calculated using the methodology were validated from the successful completion of the test sequences. The physical failure modes of the test connections also matched the predicted failure modes from the FEA, and the tensile or bending moment loading at physical collapse exceeded that predicted by the global collapse of the FEA model. Using the validated approach described in this paper significantly reduces the requirement of physical testing for connector families, establishing confidence in the structural limits that are critical for safe operations.

HPHT Subsea Connector Verification and Validation Using an API 17TR8 Methodology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry Stewart ◽  
Sam Kwok Lun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Verification And Validation ◽  
Combined Loading ◽  
Load Path ◽  
Capacity Curves ◽  
Industry Standards ◽  
Full Scale Tests

Abstract Wellhead connectors form a critical part of subsea tree production systems. Their location in the riser load path means that they are subjected to high levels of bending and tension loading in addition to internal pressure and cyclic loading. As more fields continue to be discovered and developed that are defined as High Pressure and/or High Temperature (HPHT) these loading conditions become even more arduous. In order to ensure the integrity of HPHT components, industry requirements for components are setout in API 17TR8. This technical report provides a design verification methodology for HPHT products and some requirements for validation testing. The methodology provides detail on the assessment of static structural and cyclic capacities but less detail on how to assess the functional and serviceability criteria for wellhead connectors. Similarly, API 17TR8 does not include prescriptive validation requirements for wellhead connectors and refers back to historical methods. This paper describes a practical application of the API 17TR8 methodology to the development of a 20k HPHT connector and how it was implemented to verify and validate the connector design through full scale tests to failure. A methodology was developed to meet the requirements of the relevant industry standards and applied to the connector to develop capacity charts for static combined loading. Verification was carried out on three dimensional 180° FEA models to ensure all non axi-symmetric loading is accurately captured. Connector capacities are defined based on API 17TR8 criteria with elastic plastic analysis (i.e. collapse load, local failure and ratcheting), functionality/serviceability criteria defined through a FMECA review and also including API STD 17G criteria including failure modes such as lock/unlock functionality, fracture based failure, mechanical disengagement, leakage and preload exceedance. These capacities are validated through full scale testing based on the requirements of API 17TR7 and API STD 17G with combined loading applied to the Normal, Extreme and Survival capacity curves (as defined by "as-built" FEA using actual material properties). Various test parameters such as strain gauge data, hub separation data, displacements, etc. were recorded and correlated to FEA prediction to prove the validity of the methodology. Further validation was carried out by applying a combined load up to the FEA predicted failure to confirm the design margins of the connector. Post-test review was carried out to review the suitability of the requirements set out in API 17TR8 and API STD 17G for the verification and validation of subsea connectors. The results build on previous test results to validate the effectiveness of the API 17TR8 code for verification and validation of connectors. The results show that real margins between failure of the connector and rated loads are higher than those defined in API 17TR8 and show that the methodology can be conservative.

Full-scale physical testing of a buried reinforced concrete pipe under axle load

2014 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.R. Lay ◽  
R.W.I. Brachman
Keyword(s):  
Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Limit State ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Surface Load ◽  
Burial Depth ◽  
Concrete Pipe ◽  
Physical Testing

The structural response of a 600 mm inner diameter reinforced concrete pipe buried in a dense, well-graded sand and gravel soil and subjected to surface load from a single design truck axle with 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 m of soil cover above the pipe crown is quantified using full-scale physical testing. The pipe did not crack at its minimum burial depth of 0.3 m under working CL-625 and CL-800 single-axle highway design loads as the largest tensile strains were only 50%–60% of those at the onset of cracking. Application of the fully factored CL-625 single-axle load at a burial depth of 0.3 m resulted in a tensile crack and a maximum circumferential bending moment of 6 kN·m/m; however, no limit state was reached as the crack width was around one-half the value used to define pipe serviceability and the maximum moment was around 70% of the theoretical ultimate capacity. The decrease in pipe demand from surface load with increasing soil cover is also quantified. At 400 kN of single-axle force, the crown moment decreased to 65% and 35% of the value at 0.3 m burial when the depth of soil cover was increased to 0.6 and 0.9 m, respectively.

scholarly journals Numerical Behaviour of Composite K-Joints Subjected to Combined Loading and Corrosive Environment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Hou ◽  
Shameer Saleh ◽  
Lin-Hai Han ◽  
You-Xing Hua
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Steel Tube ◽  
Combined Loading ◽  
Truss Structures ◽  
Mechanism Analysis ◽  
Corrosive Environment ◽  
Range Analysis ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Fea Model

Concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) truss structures have been adopted in various infrastructures worldwide for past several decades. Application of CFST truss is more prevalent especially in areas where harsh marine condition with chloride corrosion limits the design life of structures. Design of joints is one of the most complicated issues in CFST truss structures; and it becomes more critical when corrosion causes section loss in the outer steel tube. Improved designs in terms of economy and durability need to be suggested based on rational research on composite K-joints in corrosive environment, whilst such research is very limited up until now. This paper thus attempts to study the behaviour of circular concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) K-joints under combined effect of long-term loading and corrosion. A finite element analysis (FEA) model is presented and verified against existing test results. The model is then utilized to perform mechanism analysis of CFST K-joints under varying loading and corrosion situations. Failure modes, detailed propagation of yield and stress distribution between the core concrete in chord and the tubular steel is investigated, based on which a favourable mode of failure is suggested in terms of maximum joint capacity. Finally, a full range analysis of the load-deformation characteristics is carried out for various corrosion situations, with the corresponding joint strength as well as ductility predicted.

Combined Loading Tests of Large Diameter Corroded Pipelines

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Q. Smith ◽  
Christopher J. Waldhart
Keyword(s):  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Thermal Stresses ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Combined Loading ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Bending Load ◽  
Full Scale Tests

Current methods for estimating the remaining strength of aging, corroded pipelines have been restricted to the capabilities of pressure based engineering models that rely on the definition of hoop stress in the pipe wall. Because in practice, pipelines are subjected to a variety of loading conditions (e.g.; axial bending from settlement and thermal stresses) that act in concert with those derived by internal pressure, a multi-year combined testing and analysis program was initiated by the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company aimed at developing computer tools for the prediction of rupture and wrinkling in corroded pipes. During the program, seventeen full-scale tests of mechanically corroded 48-inch diameter (1219-mm), X65 pipes subjected to internal pressure, axial bending, and axial compression were performed to provide data necessary for the verification of analytical models and failure prediction models. While all of the tests were designed to produce rupture, wrinkling, as defined by the occurrence of a limit moment during the application of bending loads, was produced in eleven of the tests either prior to or instead of rupture. Loading of the pipe was intended to simulate that which would be observed by a pipe in-service and included both load control and displacement control of the applied bending load, and in some tests, intended to define the amount of additional pressure required to cause burst after wrinkling was produced. Results of the tests showed that two different failure modes are produced depending on whether the bending moment is transmitted to the pipe as a fixed load or a fixed displacement, and consequently, the burst capacity of the corroded pipe may not be compromised by the presence of axial loads. This paper discusses the tests performed, including a description of the load schedule and corrosion geometries, and key results of the tests that were used in the development of a new strain-based burst prediction procedure for corroded pipes subjected to combined loads.

The Influence of Loads Superposition, Deterioration Due to Cracks and Residual Stresses on the Strength of Tubular Junction

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1267-1273
Author(s):  
Valeriu V. Jinescu ◽  
Angela Chelu ◽  
Gheorghe Zecheru ◽  
Alexandru Pupazescu ◽  
Teodor Sima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Concentration ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Combined Loading ◽  
Torsional Moment ◽  
Calculation Methods ◽  
State Of Stress ◽  
Cracked Structures ◽  
Total Participation ◽  
Theoretical Results

In the paper the interaction of several loads like pressure, axial force, bending moment and torsional moment are analyzed, taking into account the deterioration due to cracks and the influence of residual stresses. A nonlinear, power law, of structure material is considered. General relationships for total participation of specific energies introduced in the structure by the loads, as well as for the critical participation have been proposed. On these bases: - a new strength calculation methods was developed; � strength of tubular cracked structures and of cracked tubular junction subjected to combined loading and strength were analyzed. Relationships for critical state have been proposed, based on dimensionless variables. These theoretical results fit with experimental date reported in literature. On the other side stress concentration coefficients were defined. Our one experiments onto a model of a pipe with two opposite nozzles have been achieved. Near one of the nozzles is a crack on the run pipe. Trough the experiments the state of stress have been obtained near the tubular junction, near the tip of the crack and far from the stress concentration points. On this basis the stress concentration coefficients were calculated.

Design of Pipeline Composite Repairs: From Lab Scale Tests to FEA and Full Scale Testing

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remy Her ◽  
Jacques Renard ◽  
Vincent Gaffard ◽  
Yves Favry ◽  
Paul Wiet
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Combined Loading ◽  
Material Strength ◽  
Repair System ◽  
Loading Conditions ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Composite Repair ◽  
Repair Systems ◽  
Composite Properties

Composite repair systems are used for many years to restore locally the pipe strength where it has been affected by damage such as wall thickness reduction due to corrosion, dent, lamination or cracks. Composite repair systems are commonly qualified, designed and installed according to ASME PCC2 code or ISO 24817 standard requirements. In both of these codes, the Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) of the damaged section must be determined to design the composite repair. To do so, codes such as ASME B31G for example for corrosion, are used. The composite repair systems is designed to “bridge the gap” between the MAWP of the damaged pipe and the original design pressure. The main weakness of available approaches is their applicability to combined loading conditions and various types of defects. The objective of this work is to set-up a “universal” methodology to design the composite repair by finite element calculations with directly taking into consideration the loading conditions and the influence of the defect on pipe strength (whatever its geometry and type). First a program of mechanical tests is defined to allow determining all the composite properties necessary to run the finite elements calculations. It consists in compression and tensile tests in various directions to account for the composite anisotropy and of Arcan tests to determine steel to composite interface behaviors in tension and shear. In parallel, a full scale burst test is performed on a repaired pipe section where a local wall thinning is previously machined. For this test, the composite repair was designed according to ISO 24817. Then, a finite element model integrating damaged pipe and composite repair system is built. It allowed simulating the test, comparing the results with experiments and validating damage models implemented to capture the various possible types of failures. In addition, sensitivity analysis considering composite properties variations evidenced by experiments are run. The composite behavior considered in this study is not time dependent. No degradation of the composite material strength due to ageing is taking into account. The roadmap for the next steps of this work is to clearly identify the ageing mechanisms, to perform tests in relevant conditions and to introduce ageing effects in the design process (and in particular in the composite constitutive laws).

scholarly journals Design and analysis of concrete-filled tubular flange girders under combined loading

2021 ◽  
pp. 136943322110015
Author(s):  
Rana Al-Dujele ◽  
Katherine Ann Cashell
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Axial Force ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Combined Loading ◽  
Torsional Stiffness ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Hollow Section

This paper is concerned with the behaviour of concrete-filled tubular flange girders (CFTFGs) under the combination of bending and tensile axial force. CFTFG is a relatively new structural solution comprising a steel beam in which the compression flange plate is replaced with a concrete-filled hollow section to create an efficient and effective load-carrying solution. These members have very high torsional stiffness and lateral torsional buckling strength in comparison with conventional steel I-girders of similar depth, width and steel weight and are there-fore capable of carrying very heavy loads over long spans. Current design codes do not explicitly include guidance for the design of these members, which are asymmetric in nature under the combined effects of tension and bending. The current paper presents a numerical study into the behaviour of CFTFGs under the combined effects of positive bending and axial tension. The study includes different loading combinations and the associated failure modes are identified and discussed. To facilitate this study, a finite element (FE) model is developed using the ABAQUS software which is capable of capturing both the geometric and material nonlinearities of the behaviour. Based on the results of finite element analysis, the moment–axial force interaction relationship is presented and a simplified equation is proposed for the design of CFTFGs under combined bending and tensile axial force.

Effect of Torsion on Collapse Bending Moment for 24-Inch Diameter Schedule 80 Pipes With Wall Thinning

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Bostjan Bezensek ◽  
Phuong Hoang
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Combined Loading ◽  
Bending Moments ◽  
Compressive Stresses ◽  
Wall Thinning ◽  
Nominal Thickness ◽  
Calculation Results ◽  
Loading Modes ◽  
Local Wall Thinning

Piping items in power plants may experience combined bending and torsion moments during operation. Currently, there is a lack of guidance in the ASME B&PV Code Section XI for combined loading modes including pressure, torsion and bending. Finite element analyses were conducted for 24-inch diameter Schedule 80 pipes with local wall thinning subjected to tensile and compressive stresses. Plastic collapse bending moments were calculated under constant torsion moments. From the calculation results, it can be seen that collapse bending moment for pipes with local thinning subjected to tensile stress is smaller than that subjected to compressive stress. In addition, equivalent moment is defined as the root the sum of the squares of the torsion and bending moments. It is found that the equivalent moments can be approximated with the pure bending moments, when the wall thinning length is equal or less than 7.73R·t for the wall thinning depth of 75% of the nominal thickness, where R is the mean radius and t is the wall thickness of the pipe.

Submarine Pipeline Installation JIP: Strength and Deformation Capacity of Pipes Passing Over the S-Lay Vessel Stinger

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Torselletti ◽  
Luigino Vitali ◽  
Erik Levold ◽  
Kim J. Mo̸rk
Keyword(s):  
Water Depth ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Submarine Pipeline ◽  
Design Guideline ◽  
Moment Capacity ◽  
Sea Bottom ◽  
Major Vessel ◽  
Gas Fields

The development of deep water gas fields using trunklines to carry the gas to the markets is sometime limited by the feasibility/economics of the construction phase. In particular there is a market for using S-lay vessels in water depth larger than 1000m. The S-lay feasibility depends on the applicable tension at the tensioner which is a function of water depth, stinger length and stinger curvature (for given stinger length by its curvature). This means that, without major vessel up-grading and to avoid too long stingers that are prone to damages caused by environmental loads, the application of larger stinger curvatures than presently allowed by current regulations/state of the art is needed. The work presented in this paper is a result of the project “Development of a Design Guideline for Submarine Pipeline Installation” sponsored by STATOIL and HYDRO. The technical activities are performed in co-operation by DNV, STATOIL and SNAMPROGETTI. The scope of the project is to produce a LRFD (Load Resistant Factor Design) design guideline to be used in the definition and application of design criteria for the laying phase e.g. to S and J-lay methods/equipment. The guideline covers D/t from 15 to 45 and applied strains over the overbend in excess of 0.5%. This paper addresses the failure modes relevant for combined high curvatures/strains, axial, external pressure and local forces due to roller over the stinger of an S-lay vessel and to sea bottom contacts, particularly: • Residual pipe ovality after laying, • Maximum strain and bending moment capacity. Analytical equations are proposed in accordance with DNV OS F101 philosophy and design format.

Comportement de pieux d'essais instrumentés sous charge horizontale

1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
R. Frank ◽  
H. Zervogiannis ◽  
S. Christoulas ◽  
V. Papadopoulos ◽  
N. Kalteziotis
Keyword(s):  
Pile Foundation ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Standard Penetration Test ◽  
American Petroleum Institute ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Cohesionless Soil ◽  
Penetration Test ◽  
Cohesionless Soils ◽  
Final Design

This paper describes the behaviour of two test piles (one bored and postgrouted and one simply bored, both 31.7 m long and 0.75 m in diameter) subjected to horizontal loads. These full-scale pile tests were carried out for the actual design of the pile foundation of a pier of the Evripos cable-stayed bridge. This bridge will link the Euboea Island to mainland Greece. The two piles have already been subjected to bearing capacity tests under axial loadings. The inclinometer measurements, taken during the present tests, yielded, in particular, the deformed shape of the piles as well as the bending moments. Conclusions could be drawn for the final design of the pile foundation with respect to horizontal loadings. Furthermore, various calculation methods using p–y reaction curves for cohesionless soils have been checked: the Ménard pressuremeter method, the method of the American Petroleum Institute recommendations, and the Standard penetration test method of Christoulas. These pile tests show that simple measurements, taken on construction sites, can yield interesting results on the actual behaviour of horizontally loaded piles. Key words : pile, horizontal loading, full-scale test, horizontal loads, bending moment, subgrade reaction modulus, p–y curve, cohesionless soil, Standard penetration test, pressuremeter test.

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