Parametric study for underwater blast-induced pipeline response embedded in marine sediments

Abstract

Blast response of submerged pipelines has been a research focus in recent years. In this article, a three-dimensional numerical model is established to investigate dynamic response of pipelines due to underwater explosion. The u–p approximation is integrated into finite element method (FEM) to simulate pore water effect in the seabed. Numerical continuity between hydraulic pressure in the flow field and pore pressure in the marine sediment is guaranteed to realize the blast response of submerged pipelines in ocean environment. Both fluid–structure interaction (FSI) and pipeline–seabed interaction (PSI) have been considered in the proposed model simultaneously. A comprehensive parametric study is carried out after validation of the present model with test data from underground explosion and underwater explosion, respectively. The effect of embedment depth, TNT equivalent, stand-off distance, pipeline diameter, and pipeline thickness to blast response of the submerged pipelines is investigated based on numerical results. Variation of deformation patterns and stress distribution of the pipeline with various installation and structure parameters has been illustrated and discussed to facilitate engineering practice.