Coupling Response Analysis of Deep-Water Pipeline Based on Rapid Regulation of Stinger Radius

Abstract

High strain/stress is easy to occur in the overbend section of S-lay pipelines which are supported by stinger, leading to excessive deformation and buckling failure of the pipelines. In order to ensure the safety of pipelines and evaluate the maximum laying capacity of the pipelay vessel in 1600 meter, this paper uses the curvature radius method to automatically adjust the four angles and roller positions of the articulated stinger fixed on the pipelay vessel, then analyzes the pipeline strain and effective tension in static configuration and finally calculates the timedomain coupling response by establishing a nonlinear contact model of the pipelay vessel, stinger and pipelines. The adjustment speed, which is based on the curvature radius method using Python to call OrcFxAPI, is efficient remarkably. The results show that the stinger radius and roller locations are the major influential factors on the pipeline strain and anchor positions affect the detachment point strain of pipelines on overbend section. The static and dynamic strains of the overbend section are less than 0.25% and 0.305% respectively, which meet the DNV specifications.