Dynamic analysis of liquid-filled clamp-pipe systems based on the spectral element method

Abstract

This paper presents an effective approach for dynamic analysis of liquid-filled clamp pipe (LFCP) systems based on the spectral element method (SEM). In this regard, six stiffness components are used to represent the elastic supporting effect of a clamp on the pipe structure, and analytical parameters are derived to realize the Rayleigh damping model in the SEM. This determines an SEM-based approach for dynamic analysis of the LFCP system. Numerical verification of the SEM is implemented for natural frequency analysis of the LFCP in conjunction with the straight, the L-shape, and parallel pipe systems. Compared to the finite-element or the transfer-matrix method in the literature, simulation results have confirmed the high accuracy and efficiency of utilizing the SEM for numerical modelling of the LFCP system. Various realizations of the pipe diameter, the fluid density and pressure, and the clamp coefficients are also considered to investigate their combined effects on structural characteristics. It has confirmed that the SEM based approach provides an effective routine for dynamic analysis of the LFCP system.