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Calculation of Stresses and Slips in Helical Layers of Dynamically Bent

Flexible Pipes

Article in Oil & Gas Science and Technology - Revue de l IFP · November 2001
DOI: 10.2516/ogst:2001044

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 Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP, Vol. 56 (2001), No. 6, pp. 545-554
Copyright © 2001, Éditions Technip

Calculation of Stresses and Slips

in Helical Layers of Dynamically Bent Flexible Pipes
J.-M. Leroy1 and P. Estrier2
1 Institut français du pétrole, 1 et 4, avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852 Rueil-Malmaison Cedex - France
2 Coflexip Stena Offshore, rue Jean-Hure, BP 7, 76580 Le Trait - France
e-mail: j-marc.leroy@ifp.fr - pascal.estrier@coflexip.fr

Résumé — Détermination des contraintes et déplacements des couches hélicoïdales des conduites
flexibles soumises à des flexions dynamiques — Cet article présente une méthode de détermination des
contraintes et des déplacements dans les couches hélicoïdales des pipelines flexibles lors de flexions
dynamiques. Les déplacements de chacune des couches ne peuvent être déterminés indépendamment des
autres couches à cause de la présence de frottement. Un couplage de la cinématique des couches est donc
nécessaire. Une comparaison avec des mesures de déformations montre que les développements
théoriques sont correctement validés.
Mots-clés : pipeline, flexible, flexion, déplacement, contrainte.

Abstract — Calculation of Stresses and Slips in Helical Layers of Dynamically Bent Flexible Pipes —
This paper deals with stress and displacement calculation in dynamically bent unbounded flexible pipes.
The presented method is original in that movements and stresses of all helical layers are coupled. Good
correlation between strain measurements and the theory has been found, and is shown in the paper.
Keywords: flexible, pipe, bending, displacement, stress.

NOTATIONS a
ε= relative curvature of the pipe
R
a radius of a helical layer θ, ϕ angular coordinates of a point of a torus
Cb, Cn transverse and normal curvatures of a curve ∆p, ∆c slip of a point of a helix relatively to the torus,
Ft, Fb, Fn tangential, transverse and normal forces in a wire respectively along a parallel (θ constant), and
Mt, Mb, Mn tangential, transverse and normal moments in an along a meridian (ϕ constant)
wire 1 torsion of a curve
R radius of curvature of the pipe τ
s curvilinear abscissa along a helix σ stress.
r
t unit tangential vector of a curve
r Subscripts
N unit vector normal to the bent pipe
r
B unit transverse vector of a curve t in tangential direction
x1, x2, x3 rectangular coordinates of a point of a torus b in transverse direction.
α initial laying angle of a helix
Superscript
∆t, ∆b slip of a point of a helix
r relatively to the torus,
r
respectively in t and B directions i relative to the ith layer.
546 Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP, Vol. 56 (2001), No. 6

INTRODUCTION

Design life prediction of flexible risers is of outstanding

importance to ensure reliability of offshore structures.
In a simplified manner, a flexible riser design is an iterative
four-step procedure (Estrier, 1992):
– a first analysis gives the static behavior of the flexible pipe
components under axial tension, internal and external
pressure;
– a second analysis determines dynamic tension and
curvature variations along the pipe according to environ-
mental conditions (waves, current, vessel motions, etc.);
– a third analysis determines stresses and slips in pipe layers
due to curvature variations;
– the last step uses the previous stresses to determine fatigue
limits of the riser.
This paper deals with the third step, and mainly with
tensile armour layers behavior that depend on time loading of
the pipe.
The method is described in two steps. The first one is a Figure 1
geometrical analysis of deformed helices on a torus, where Example of flexible pipe.
basic equations between curvatures and displacements are
obtained. In the other one, friction and equilibrium equations
are presented. A system of differential equations that links
displacements and forces of helical layers is obtained. It is Environmental conditions (waves, current, vessel motions,
solved with a finite difference and a quasi Newton method. etc.), create variations in tension and curvatures of the riser
Numerical examples of layers displacements and friction and dynamic slips, stresses and friction forces in the previous
effects are then presented. layers.
The paper ends with a comparison between theoretical The following method deals with the determination of
results and strain measurements. these slips, stresses and friction forces, assuming that the
time curvature of the pipe is given as explained by Estrier
(Estrier, 1992).
1 FLEXIBLE PIPE STRUCTURE
As shown on Figure 1, a flexible pipe used as a riser is
typically made of the following layers (from inside to outside): 2 GEOMETRICAL ANALYSIS
– a carcass, which is a metallic construction used to prevent,
This first step gives basic relations between curvatures and
totally or partially, collapse of the internal sheath pipe due
displacements of deformed helices on a torus.
for example to external pressure;
A curve on a surface can be defined in Darboux-Ribeaucourt
– an internal sheath, which is an extruded polymer layer that r r r r r
ensures internal-fluid integrity; axes ( t , N, B ), where t is the unit tangential vector, N is the
r r r
– a pressure vault, which is a structural layer with a lay unit internal normal to the surface, B = t Λ N is in the
angle close to 90 degrees, and that increases the resistance transverse direction.
of the pipe to internal and external pressure; If s is the curvilinear abscissa along the curve, then:
– tensile armour layers, which are structural layers with a
lay angle typically between 20 and 55 degrees, and consist r
 dt   
of helically wound wires. They are used to sustain tensile  ds   0 Cn Cb  r
 r   tr 
1
loads and internal pressure. Tensile armour layers are
counter wound in pairs.  dN  =  − C 0 −   Nr  (1)
 dsr   n
τ B
– anti-wear layers, which are nonmetallic extruded  dB   1  
thermoplastic sheath or tape wrapping, used to minimize   − C b 0 

wear between structural layers,  ds   τ
– an outer sheath, which is an extruded polymer layer that where Cb, Cn are respectively transverse and normal
protects pipe against penetration of sea water and external 1
curvatures and is the torsion of the curve.
damages. τ
 JM Leroy and P Estrier / Calculation of Stresses and Slips in Helical Layers of Dynamically Bent Flexible Pipes 547

It is assumed that the deformed helices can be described

N+ N x
θ by:
M θ A M
dϕ ε
ω P P' = (1 + h(θ, ε )) (10)
a dθ tgα
where: h (θ, ε = 0) = 0, α: initial laying angle of the helix.
ϕ R The choice of Equation (10), applying far from end
i fittings and with a constant curvature of the pipe, was
j governed by previous studies of well-known curves on a
y o
surface, such as the geodesic or the loxodromic curves.
k
Introducing Equation (10) into Equations (6) to (8), the
following results are obtained (refer to Appendix 1 for
z
mathematical developments):
Figure 2
1 d∆
Mathematical parameters definition.
h=− ⋅ b (11)
a cos α dθ

Assuming that the bent pipe is a torus of constant radius of sin α d∆ t

curvature R and of radius a (Fig.r2), γ= + ε ⋅ cos 2 α ⋅ cos θ (12)
r ar point M on the torus a dθ
has the following coordinates in ( i , j , k ) axes:
x1 = (R + a · cos θ) · cos ϕ ε  h 
∆C n = ⋅ cos 2 α ⋅ (1 − 2 sin 2 α ) cos θ − 2 sin 2 α  (13)
x2 = (R + a · cos θ) · sin ϕ (2) a  ε 
x3 = a · sin θ
As: ε  1 dh 2 
∆C b = ⋅ cos α ⋅ (1 + sin 2 α ) ⋅ sin θ − sin α 
a  ε dθ 
( ds )2 = ( dx1 )2 + ( dx 2 )2 + ( dx3 )
2 (3)
or: (14)
r dx r dx r dx r
t = 1i + 2 j+ 3k (4) ε sin 2 α d 2∆ b
ds ds ds ∆C b = ⋅ cos α ⋅ (1 + sin 2 α ) ⋅ sin θ + ⋅
a a2 dθ 2
r r r r
N = – cos θ ⋅ cos ϕ ⋅ i – cos θ ⋅ sin ϕ ⋅ j – sin θ ⋅ k (5) 1 ε
∆ = ⋅ cos α sin α ⋅
τ a (15)
ds 1
,C ,C , can be deduced from Equations (1) to (5):  h
dθ b n τ  −2 cos α cos θ + (sin α − cos α ) ε 
2 2 2

2
 ds 
  = a2 + R2 ⋅ v2 ⋅ g2 (6) where:
 dθ 
∆t (respectively ∆b) is the slip of a point of the helix
 dg  dθ  3 relatively to the torus in the tangential (respectively
C b = sinθ ⋅ ( 2 ⋅ a 2 ⋅ g + R 2 ⋅ v 2 ⋅ g 3 ) − a ⋅ R ⋅ v ⋅   (7) transverse) direction;
 dθ  ds 
γ is the tangential strain of the helix;
 dθ 
2
C n = [ a + R ⋅ v ⋅ cos θ ⋅ g 2 ]  (8) 1
 ds  ∆ , ∆C b , ∆C n are variations of torsion, transverse and nor-
τ
 dθ 
2
1 mal curvatures with respect to the undeformed straight pipe.
= R ⋅ g ⋅  (9)
τ  ds 
where: 3 MECHANICAL ANALYSIS
dϕ a The studied flexible pipe is made of n helical layers of laying
g= , ε = , v = 1 + ε ⋅ cos θ
dθ R angle αi (i = 1 to n). The internal layer is supported by a
Hence curves on the torus are completely defined if (for substrate that is modeled as a cylinder. We define:
dϕ R the constant radius of curvature of the bent substrate;
example) g = is given.
dθ ai the radius of the ith helical layer;
548 Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP, Vol. 56 (2001), No. 6

r
qni the normal force (per unit length of a helix) at the lower The parameter β is a coefficient to avoid numerical
interface of the helical layer; problems when sliding velocities are null, i.e. when surfaces
r are stuck. Equations of friction as presented above are then
q if the friction force (per unit length of a helix) at the lower
interface of the helical layer; appropriate when sliding or sticking phenomena occur.
i
f the friction coefficient on the lower interface of the ith
helical layer. 3.2 Equilibrium Equations
Subscripts t and b will be used to refer to thertangential
r
and transverse directions. For example: q if ,t = q if ⋅ t i. Equilibrium of a length ds r of a helix ofr the ith layer,
Note that the slip th
r of the i helical layer relatively to layer submitted to internal force F i and moment M i , and external
r r r r i+1
i – 1 is defined as δ i , with: friction and normal forces qni ds, qni+1ds, q if ds and q f ds on
r r r
r r his lower and upper interfaces, gives, in t i , N i , bi directions:
δ ib = δ i ⋅ B i
dFti
= ∆ib − ∆ib−1 ⋅ cos(α i − α i −1) − ∆it−1 ⋅ sin(α i −1 − α i ) − FbiC bi − FniC ni + q if ,t K (21)
ds
r r (16)
δ it = δ i ⋅ t i K - q if+,t1cos(α i +1 − α i ) - q if+,b1 sin(α i − α i +1) = 0
= ∆it − ∆ib−1 ⋅ sin(α i − α i −1) − ∆it−1 ⋅ cos(α i − α i −1)
1 i dFni
FtiC ni + F + − qni + qni+1 = 0 (22)
τ in b ds
3.1 Equations of Friction
dFbi 1
When sliding occurs, friction forces are opposed to the FtiC bi + − i Fni + qbi ,t K
ds τn (23)
sliding direction (or sliding velocity). At a given point of the
internal helical layer (i = 1), equations of friction can be K- q if+,t1sin(α i +1 − α i ) − qbi +,t1cos(α i +1 − α i ) = 0
written as:
dM ti
r r ∆˙1t − M bi C bi − M ni C ni = 0 (24)
q1f ,t = q1f ⋅ t1 = − ⋅ f 1 ⋅ q1n (17) ds
β 2 + (∆˙1t ) + (∆˙1b )
2 2

1 i
M tiC ni + M i + dM n − F i = 0 (25)
τ in b
ds b

r r ∆˙1b
q1f ,b = q1f ⋅ b1 = − ⋅ f 1 ⋅ q1n (18) dM bi
β 2 + (∆˙1t ) + (∆˙1b )
2 2 1
M tiC bi + − i M ni + Fni = 0 (26)
ds τn
and, for layers 2 to n:
Note that, for the external layer (i = n):
r r δ˙ it qni+1 = 0, q if+,t1 = 0, q if+,b1 = 0
q if ,t = q if ⋅ t i = − ⋅ f i ⋅ qni
β 2 + (δ˙ it ) + (δ˙ ib )
2 2 (19)
if friction on the external sheath is neglected.

3.3 Constitutive Equations

r r δ˙ ib
q if ,b = q if ⋅ bi = − ⋅ f i ⋅ qni (20)
β 2 + (δ˙ it ) + (δ˙ ib )
2 2 The behavior of helices are given by:

where: Fti = E i A i γ i (27)

∂∆1t ∂∆1b 1
∆˙1t = , ∆˙1b = M ti = −G i I ip ∆ (28)
∂ε ∂ε τ in

are sliding velocities of the first layer on the substrate, and M bi = E i I ni ∆C ni (29)
∂δ i ∂δ i M ni = − E i I bi ∆C bi
δ˙ it = t , δ˙ ib = b (30)
∂ε ∂ε
with E i , A i , I ip , I ni , I bi respectively the Young’s modulus, the
are sliding velocities of the layer i (i > 1) relatively to layer section, and torsional, normal and transverse inertia of the
i – 1. helix.
 JM Leroy and P Estrier / Calculation of Stresses and Slips in Helical Layers of Dynamically Bent Flexible Pipes 549

It is here assumed that the normal principal r axis of the It is considered also that relative displacements are small,
wire is the same than the normal to the surface N . so a given point xki is always in contact with the same points
xki–1 and xki+1 of the upper and lower layers.
3.4 Resolution Giving a curvature ε and a step ∆ε, Equations (21) and (23)
are the solved equations at points xki , k ≠ 1, k ≠ np + 1, i = 1
The nonlinear problem is solved with the finite difference to n. For k = 1, k = np + 1, the following boundary conditions
method. are used: ∆ti (θk) = 0, ∆bi (θk) = 0 (i = 1 to n). The solution is
It is first assumed that all wires of a given layer have the determined with a quasi Newton method.
same behavior. Then, only one wire of each layer is Equations (12) to (15), (17) and (18) (or (19) and (20)),
2π
partitioned into np intervals of length ∆θ = , with np + 1 (22) and (25) to (30), give the relations between
np
points xki initially positioned at: 1
Fti , Fni , Fbi , M ti , M ni , M bi , ∆ i , ∆C ni , ∆C bi , γ i , qni , q if ,t , q if ,b
τn
θ ik = ( k − 1)∆θ if α i > 0
and the unknowns ∆ti (θk), ∆bi (θk).
θ ik = 2π − ( k − 1)∆θ if α i < 0 (k = 1 to n p + 1) Initially (straight pipe, ε = 0), ∆ti (θk) = 0, ∆bi (θk) for
i = 1 to n and k = 1 to np + 1.
The given dynamic relative curvature of the pipe is also
partitioned into nε intervals of length ∆ε. 4 THEORETICAL EXAMPLES
From finite difference method, the following approxi-
mation, for any function u (θ, ε) is used: In this section, a flexible pipe is subjected to cycles of curvature
from 1 = 0 to 1 = 0.1 m-1. It is made of two armour layers.
∂u(θ, ε ) u(θ + ∆θ, ε ) − u(θ − ∆θ, ε ) R R
= Input data are the following:
∂θ 2∆θ
a1 = 78.3 mm, a2 = 83.8 mm
∂ 2 u(θ, ε ) u(θ + ∆θ, ε ) − 2u(θ, ε ) + u(θ − ∆θ, ε ) α1 = –35°, α2 = 35°
=
∂θ 2 ∆θ 2 A1 = A2 = 36 mm2
∂u(θ, ε ) u(θ, ε ) − u(θ, ε − ∆ε ) E1 = E2 = 2 ·1011 Pa
= initial tangential forces due to a traction of 500 kN are
∂ε ∆ε
F1t = 7500 N, F2t = 6300 N.
In order to reduce time calculation, chosen unknowns in Twenty cycles of bending are simulated. A coefficient of
the resolution are the transverse and tangential displacements friction equal to 0.15 is used for all interfaces (between the
∆it (θ k ), ∆ib (θ k ) , with k = 1 to np + 1 and i = 1 to n. The internal armour layer and the substrate, and between both
problem size is then 2n (np + 1) unknowns. armour layers).

0.0010 0.12
external layer
Transverse curvature (1/m)

internal layer 0.09

Displacement Dc (m)

0.0005
0.06

0.0000 0.03

0.00
-0.0005
-0.03

-0.0010 -0.06
-0.003 -0.002 -0.001 0.000 0.001 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10
Displacement Dp (m) Pipe curvature (1/m)

Figure 3
Figure 4
Trajectories of armour layers (∆c versus ∆p for the internal
helix, δc versus δp for the external helix) in cycles of curvature Transverse curvature of the internal armour layer in cycles
π π
( θ = ). of curvature ( θ = ).
2 2
550 Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP, Vol. 56 (2001), No. 6

Displacements (∆c versus ∆p for the internal helix, δc Figures 7 to 14 show displacements, curvatures and
versus δp for the external helix) and transverse curvatures stresses along internal and external helices, for minimum
∆Cb of internal and external helices are represented in ( 1 = 0) and maximum ( 1 = 0.1 m-1) curvatures of the
π R R
Figures 3, 4 and 5 on neutral bending axis ( θ = ) as a
2 pipe, for the first and 20th cycles of curvature. These figures
function of pipe curvature. These figures point out that a show that variations of tangential displacements and stresses
steady cycle of movement is obtained for each helix after with cycles of curvature are small compared to variations of
only a few cycles of variation of curvature of the pipe. Steady transverses displacements and curvatures. These figures
cycles occur around geodesic curves and are centered on half show also that, after a few cycles of pipe curvatures, all
the amplitude of geodesic displacements. The number of displacements and curvatures have sinusoidal (or cosinu-
cycles necessary to reach the steady state depends on friction. soidal) shapes versus θ, and tangential stresses have globally
Figure 6 shows axial stress on extrados and intrados of linear shapes. These shapes can be used to simplify the
internal and external helices versus the pipe curvature. resolution, as was done in a previous work (Féret et al.,
Friction hysteretic effect is clearly shown. 1995).

0.15 3.00E+08

Tangential stress (Pa)

0.12 2.75E+08
Transverse curvature (1/m)

0.09 2.50E+08
2.25E+08
0.06
1.50E+08
0.03
1.75E+08
0.00
1.50E+08
-0.03 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10
Pipe curvature (1/m)
-0.06

-0.09 extrados, external layer intrados, external layer

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 intrados, internal layer extrados, internal layer
Pipe curvature (1/m)

Figure 5 Figure 6
Transverse curvature of the external armour layer in cycles of Axial stress of armour layers in cycles of curvature.
π
curvature ( θ = ).
2

1.00E-03 1.50E-03
dt, cycle 1, maximum dt, cycle 1, maximum
curvature curvature
1.00E-03 dt, cycle 1, minimum
dt, cycle 1, minimum
5.00E-04 curvature curvature
dt, cycle 20, maximum dt, cycle 20, maximum
Displacements (m)
Displacements (m)

5.00E-04 curvature
curvature
dt, cycle 20, minimum dt, cycle 20, minimum
curvature curvature
0.00E+00 0.00E+00
db, cycle 1, maximum db, cycle 1, maximum
curvature curvature
db, cycle 1, minimum db, cycle 1, minimum
-5.00E-04
curvature curvature
-5.00E-04 db, cycle 20, maximum db, cycle 20, maximum
curvature -1.00E-03 curvature
db, cycle 20, minimum db, cycle 20, minimum
curvature curvature
-1.00E-03 -1.50E-03
-360 -270 -180 -90 0 0 90 180 270 360
Angle (deg) along the internal layer Angle (deg) along the internal layer

Figure 7 Figure 8
Displacements ∆t and ∆b along the internal armour layer. Displacements ∆t and ∆b along the external armour layer.
 JM Leroy and P Estrier / Calculation of Stresses and Slips in Helical Layers of Dynamically Bent Flexible Pipes 551

0.15 0.15
cycle 20, maximum cycle 20, maximum
Transverse curvature (1/m) curvature curvature

Transverse curvature (1/m)

0.10 cycle 20, minimum 0.10 cycle 20, minimum
curvature curvature

0.05 0.05

0.00 0.00

-0.05 -0.05
cycle 1, maximum
cycle 1, maximum
curvature
-0.10 cycle 1, minimum -0.10 curvature
cycle 1, minimum
curvature
curvature
-0.15 -0.15
-360 -315 -270 -225 -180 -135 -90 -45 0 o 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Angle (deg) along the internal layer Angle (deg) along the external layer

Figure 9 Figure 10
Transverse curvature along the internal armour layer. Transverse curvature along the external armour layer.

0.10 0.15
Variation of normal curvature (1/m)

Variation of normal curvature (1/m)

cycle 20, maximum cycle 20, maximum
curvature curvature
cycle 20, minimum 0.10 cycle 20, minimum
curvature curvature
0.05
0.05

0.00 0.00

-0.05
-0.05 cycle 1, maximum cycle 1, maximum
curvature -0.10 curvature
cycle 1, minimum cycle 1, minimum
curvature curvature
-0.10 -0.15
-360 -315 -270 -225 -180 -135 -90 -45 0 o 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Angle (deg) along the internal layer Angle (deg) along the external layer

Figure 11 Figure 12
Normal curvature along the internal armour layer. Normal curvature along the external armour layer.

3.0E+08 2.20E+08
cycle 20, cycle 20, cycle 20, cycle 20,
maximum minimum maximum minimum
curvature curvature curvature curvature
Tangential stress (Pa)

Tangential stress (Pa)

2.5E+08 2.00E+08

2.0E+08 1.80E+08

cycle 1, cycle 1,
cycle 1, cycle 1,
maximum minimum
maximum minimum
curvature curvature
curvature curvature
1.5E+08 1.60E+08
-360 -315 -270 -225 -180 -135 -90 -45 0 0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Angle (deg) along the internal layer Angle (deg) along the external layer

Figure 13 Figure 14
Axial stress along the internal armour layer. Axial stress along the external armour layer.
552 Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP, Vol. 56 (2001), No. 6

Theory-Experiments Comparison 70

variation of tangential stress (MPa)

A 4” internal diameter Coflexip flexible pipe of 8 m in length 60
was tested on a dynamic bench test located at IFP. Both end-
fittings of the flexible pipe can rotate and one end-fitting can 50
translate (see Fig. 15). Imposed rotations and translation
40
were chosen to obtain (as far as possible) constant variations strain gage n°1
of curvature along the pipe. 30 strain gage n°2
Windows were cut in the external sheath at the pipe center strain gage n°3
and strain gauges were stuck on the external helical layer, at 20 theory (f = 0.15)
π
θ = 0 (extrados), θ = (neutral bending axis) and θ = π
2 10
(intrados). Parallel strain gauges were used to obtain both
axial and transverse strain variations. In each window, 0
0.000 0.020 0.040 0.060 0.080 0.100
three gauges were stuck on adjacent armours (strain gages Variation of pipe curvature (1/m)

Figure 16
Theoretical and measured tangential stresses at intrados.
d

number 1 to 3 at intrados, number 4 to 6 on the neutral

bending axis, and number 7 to 9 at extrados).
Test results presented here were obtained with an internal
pressure of 40 MPa and a variation of pipe curvature equal to
1
∆ ≅ 0.09 m-1. Figures 16 to 18 show experimental results
R
and the dispersion can than be found in flexible pipes.
Figure 15 Note that the pipe has an anti-wear layer between two
Dynamic bench test. armour layers. These three layers were modeled.

70 0.180
Variation of transverse curvature (1/m)
Variation of tangential stress (MPa)

0.160 strain gage n°4

60 strain gage n°5
0.140 strain gage n°6
50 0.120 theory (f = 0.15)

40 0.100
strain gage n° 7
0.080
30 strain gage n° 8
strain gage n° 9 0.060
20 theory (f = 0.15)
0.040

10 0.020
0.000
0
0.000 0.020 0.040 0.060 0.080 0.100 0.000 0.020 0.040 0.060 0.080 0.100
Variation of pipe curvature (1/m) Variation of pipe curvature (1/m)

Figure 18
Figure 17
Theoretical and measured transverse curvatures at neutral
Theoretical and measured tangential stresses at extrados. bending axis.
 JM Leroy and P Estrier / Calculation of Stresses and Slips in Helical Layers of Dynamically Bent Flexible Pipes
Theoretical results were obtained as following:
–- initial forces Ft due to pressure were determined with
dedicated computer program (Féret and Momplot, 1989);
– experimental data (tangential strain) at extrados and
intrados, were used to determine the friction coefficient. A
value of 0.15 was obtained, as shown in Figures 16 and 18;
– measured pipe curvature variations on the bench test were
used in theoretical simulations.
Theoretical and experimental variations of axial stress
π Service Life of Flexible Risers. Proceedings of the First
(θ = 0 or θ = π) and transverse bending stress ( θ = ) were
2
compared, both in variations and in shapes.
Figures 16 to 18 show that shapes of both axial and
transverse strain variations are well predicted by theory, and
that the relative error do not exceed 30%.
The presented theory is then in good agreement with
experimental measurements.
553
CONCLUSION
A method of dynamic stress and displacement calculation in
flexible pipelines has been presented. It is based on geome-
trical, friction and equilibrium equations in helical layers.
Good correlation has been found with strain measurements.
REFERENCES
Estrier, P. (1992) Updated Method for the Determination of the
European Conference Marinflex.
Féret, J. and Momplot, G. (1989) Caflex, Computer Program for
Capacity Analysis of Flexible pipes. IFP - SINTEF Structural
Engineering Report, No. STF71 F91019.
Féret, J., Leroy, J.M. and Estrier, P. (1995) Calculation of Stresses
and Slips in Flexible Armour Layers with Layers Interaction.
ASME, Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on
Offshore Mechanics and Artic Engineering, V, 469-474.
Final manuscript received in October 2001
554 Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP, Vol. 56 (2001), No. 6

APPENDIX 1 It is then found that:

1 d∆ p d∆ c 
When neglecting terms in ε2, ε3, ...: h=  tgα − 
a dθ dθ 
 ds 
2
dϕ ε
  = a 2 + R 2 ⋅ v 2 ⋅ g 2 and g = = (1 + h(θ, ε ))
 dθ  dθ tgα As:
1 d∆ b
give: ∆ b = ∆ c cos α − ∆ p sin α : h = −
a cos α dθ
ds a
= [1 + cos 2 α (ε ⋅ cos θ + h) ] To get γ the tangential strain of the helix, we use:
dθ sin α
If a point M is located with θε θε
ds ds aθ 0
aθ 0
∫ γ
dθ
dθ = sε − s0 = ∫ dθ
dθ −
sin α
θ = θ 0 , s = s0 = 0 0
sin α θε
a aθ
when ε = 0 (straight pipe) and θ = θε, s = sε when ε ≠ 0 (bent = ∫ sin α [1 + cos 2 α ( ε ⋅ cos θ + h) ]dθ − sin α0
0
pipe), let introduce ∆p the displacement of M (relatively to the
so:
torus) along a parallel (θ constant), and ∆c the displacement
along a meridian (ϕ constant): a
sε = s0 + ∆ t + cos 2 α ⋅ ε ⋅ sin θ
sin α
θ ε dϕ εθ 
∆ c = a ⋅ (θ ε − θ 0 ), ∆ p = ( R + a ⋅ cos θ)  ∫ dθ − 0  ds d sin α d∆ t
 0 dθ

tgα 
 γ = ( sε − s0 ) = + cos 2 α ⋅ ε ⋅ cos θ
dθ dθ a dθ

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