Finite Element Analysis of UOE Pipes under External Pressure and Bending

摘要

Thick-walled steel pipes manufactured through the UOE process arernused in deep-water pipeline applications for the safe and cost-effectiverntransmission of hydrocarbon energy resources. Such pipes are subjectedrnto bending loads in the presence of high external pressure during theirrninstallation stage. The combination of bending and external pressurernoften triggers the development of structural instability due to excessivernovalization of the pipe with catastrophic effects. In the present study,rnthe effect of UOE line pipe manufacturing process on the bendingrnresponse of externally-pressurized thick-walled pipes is examined,rnusing finite element simulation tools.