Abstract
This paper seeks to apply a combination of techniques with the aim of outlining a finite element (FE) based methodology for carrying out Engineering Critical Assessment on the swage weld for J-lay installation. The critical potential defect position during installation is identified and its severity is evaluated using the Stress Concentration Factor (SCF). Closed-form parametric equations for quantifying the geometric SCF as a function of the swage weld dimensions are derived using large-scale parametric studies and statistical analysis for the joint under tension. The maximum allowable defect size for a swaged weld under potential installation loadings is evaluated by two proposed FE-based fracture mechanics methodologies. In the absence of tearing resistance data, the influence of the filler resin stiffness, loading type and material response on the acceptability of a defect size is studied and the conservative nature of brittle fracture design for the fracture assessment of carbon steel pipelines with significant ductility is illustrated.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 788-802 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Ocean Engineering |
| Volume | 172 |
| Early online date | 29 Dec 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Jan 2019 |
Bibliographical note
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the University of Aberdeen, through the Elphinstone PhD Studentship, and the support of the Maxwell computer cluster funded by the University of Aberdeen.Keywords
- Swage weld
- J-lay installation
- finite element modelling
- stress concentration
- closed-form equation
- Stress concentration
- Finite element modelling
- Swaged weld
- Closed-form equation