Vector form intrinsic finite-element analysis of static and dynamic behavior of deep-sea flexible pipe

The aim of this study was to develop a new efficient strategy that uses the Vector form Intrinsic Finite-element (VFIFE) method to conduct the static and dynamic analyses of marine pipes. Nonlinear problems, such as large displacement, small strain, and contact and collision, can be analyzed using a unified calculation process in the VFIFE method according to the fundamental theories of point value description, path element, and reverse motion. This method enables analysis without the need to integrate the stiffness matrix of the structure, because only motion equations of particles established according to Newton's second law are required. These characteristics of the VFIFE facilitate the modeling and computation efficiencies in analyzing the nonlinear dynamic problem of flexible pipe with large deflections. In this study, a three-dimensional (3-D) dynamical model based on 3-D beam element was established according to the VFIFE method. The deep-sea flexible pipe was described by a set of spatial mass particles linked by 3-D beam element. The motion and configuration of the pipe are determined by these spatial particles. Based on this model, a simulation procedure to predict the 3-D dynamical behavior of flexible pipe was developed and verified. It was found that the spatial configuration and static internal force of the mining pipe can be obtained by calculating the stationary state of pipe motion. Using this simulation procedure, an analysis was conducted on the static and dynamic behaviors of the flexible mining pipe based on a 1000-m sea trial system. The results of the analysis proved that the VFIFE method can be efficiently applied to the static and dynamic analyses of marine pipes.