Comparison Between Different Finite Element Analyses of Unbonded Flexible Pipe via Different Modeling Patterns

Three kinds of models based on the same flexible pipe with 8 layers have been separately created to investigate the effects of different modeling approaches on numerical simulation results of finite element (FE) models for unbonded flexible pipes. Then the mechanical property of the unbonded flexible pipe under tension, torsion and bending load has been analyzed and compared via ABAQUS software on the basis of three created models. The research shows that different modeling methods of flexible pipes make a great difference in the results. Especially, modeling simplifications of the carcass and pressure armor have a great impact on the accuracy of the results. Model 3, in which the carcass is simulated by spiral isotropic shell and other layers are simulated by solid element, possesses good adaptability, which has been proved by comparing the experiment data and other models. This paper can offer a reference for the FE modeling methods' selection and mechanical property analysis of unbonded flexible pipe.