Upheaval buckling of surface-laid offshore pipeline. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chandra Mondal, Bipul; Sutra Dhar, Ashutosh
• Is Part Of: Applied ocean research. Volume 66(2017)
• Page Start: 146
• Page End: 155
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Subsea pipeline -- Pipeline imperfection -- Upheaval buckling -- Installation stress -- Finite element analysis; Ocean engineering -- Periodicals; 620.416205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apor.2017.05.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1187

Abstract

Highlights: Idealized shapes of pipeline imperfection and their effects on the upheaval buckling analysis for subsea pipelines are investigated. The effects of idealisation of pressure load by an equivalent temperature in the analysis of pipeline upheaval buckling are examined. The effects of installation stress, loading types, seabed parameters and the flexural stiffness of the pipe are investigated. Developed a design chart to determine the optimum height of seabed features to manage pipeline stability against upheaval buckling. Abstract: Offshore pipelines operating under high pressure and temperature are subjected to upheaval buckling. Pipeline behaviour in upheaval buckling depends on a number of factors including the shape of pipeline imperfection, installation stresses, loading types, seabed sediment behaviour and the flexural stiffness of the pipe. Current method of predicting upheaval buckling is based on simplified shapes of pipeline imperfection developed for idealized seabed conditions. To account for the effect of internal pressure, the pressure load is represented using an equivalent temperature. However, the applicability of these idealizations on the prediction of upheaval buckling has not been well-investigated. In this paper, the three-dimensional finite element modelling technique is used to investigate the applicability of idealized shapes and their effects on the upheaval buckling of pipeline for a seabed condition at offshore Newfoundland in Canada. The finite element model is then used to conduct a parametric study to investigate the effects of installation stress, loading types, seabed parameters and the flexural stiffness of the pipe. Finally, a design chart is developed to determine the optimum height of seabed features to manage pipeline stability against upheaval buckling under different temperature and pressure loadings.