An Assessment of the Residual Stress of Pipelines Subjected to Localized Large Deformations

Subsea pipelines subjected to impacts are prone to generating significant deformations and residual stresses, which could reduce their structural integrity and increase the risk of failure. This paper introduces analytical and numerical frameworks aimed at predicting residual stress behavior induced by subsea pipeline impacts. An empirical formula to regulate residual stress levels in extensively deformed submarine pipelines is derived through a parameter-fitting method. This formula enables the swift and accurate computation of the residual stress magnitudes in such pipelines. Abaqus is employed to simulate the residual stresses in large-deformation submarine pipelines. The results of the finite element analysis are validated through experimental work. A comprehensive database is constructed via the finite element method to fit an empirical formula for residual stresses in large-deformation submarine pipelines. The empirical formula places particular emphasis on the influence of the diameter-to-thickness ratio and dent depth on the residual stresses. It is crucial for pipeline design and maintenance.