Finite element modeling of pipe-laying dynamics using corotational elements

摘要

A three-dimensional finite element model is built to compute the motions of a pipe that is being laid on the seabed. Corotational beam elements account for geometric nonlinearity. The pipe is subject to contact, hydrodynamic forces, gravity, and buoyancy. New in this article is the addition of nodal moments due to buoyancy and nodal correctional forces to compensate for a cross-sectional area mismatch. The results show a modest increase in accuracy due to these moments and a significant increase due to the correctional forces.