Analysis and design of inclined buckle arrestors for offshore pipeline

Abstract

Present research work focuses on improving buckling strength of offshore pipelines by strengthening them with inclined stiffeners and inclined stiffeners with connecting rods. Eigenvalue buckling analysis was carried out using Finite Element Methods to find the buckling strength of the considered pipeline models. Seamless stainless steel pipe models of SS304 grade were considered for finite element analysis. The pipeline models were provided with inclined stiffeners whose angle of inclination varies from 100° to 176°. Connecting rods of different lengths is used to improve capacity of inclined stiffeners. In this paper, the effect of inclined stiffener configurations in improving the strength of offshore pipelines against buckling is presented. The finite element analysis results show that a pipeline strengthened with inclined stiffeners and inclined stiffeners with connecting rod showed improved buckling load carrying capacity. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.