Simplified Finite Element Models to Study the Wet Collapse of Straight and Curved Flexible Pipes

Abstract

When the external sheath of flexible pipes experiences damage, seawater floods the annulus. Then, the external pressure is applied directly on the internal polymeric layer, and the load is transferred to the interlocked carcass, the innermost layer. In this situation, the so-called wet collapse failure of the interlocked carcass can occur. Simplified methodologies to address such a scenario, using restricted three-dimensional (3D) finite element models, are presented in this work. They are compared with full 3D models, studying both straight and curved flexible pipes scenarios. The curvature of the flexible pipe is shown to be important for wet collapse pressure predictions.