This paper presents the results of a series of parametric finite element simulations of a partially embedded (unburied) pipeline resting on a fine-grained seabed and subjected to differential movement of active tectonic faults. Analyses have been carried out with the objective of shedding light on the vulnerability of such infrastructure to fault rupture. Large deformation and geometrical non-linearity are considered in order to be able to capture possible pipe-wall buckling under compressive loads. Parametric computations were performed for different values of fault inclination with respect to the pipeline axis, rate of increase of soil undrained shear strength with depth and friction coefficient at the soil-pipe interface. The pipeline is examined for different thicknesses and for both pressurised and non-pressurised conditions. The developed strains in the pipeline with the application of fault displacement are monitored and compared with performance criteria of steel pipelines.
Aikaterini Triantafyllaki, Ph.D. Candidate, Panos Papanastasiou, Professor and Dimitrios Loukidis, Associate Professor
Keywords: subsea pipelines, structural integrity, fault crossing, buckling
Publisher: DFI