A finite element formulation for the analysis of marine pipelines during laying operations

Published in Journal of Pipelines Vol. 5 (1), pp. 15-35, 1985

Abstract

In this paper a finite element formulation for the deformation analysis of submarine pipelines during laying operations is presented. The formation allows for large displacement/rotations and the effect of nonconservative water loads. An iterative procedure to deal with the changing boundary conditions at the seafloor is also presented. Numerical results for two pipeline laying cases, obtained using three noded isoparametrical one-dimensional curved elements, are given.