Multiaxial Fatigue Analysis on Reeled Deepwater Steel Catenary Risers with Girth Weld Defects

In the present study, we simulated the reel-lay installation process of deepwater steel catenary risers（SCRs） using the finite element method and proposed multiaxial fatigue analysis for reeled SCRs. The reel-lay method is one of the most efficient and economical pipeline installation methods. However, material properties of reeled risers may change, especially in the weld zone, which can affect the fatigue performance. Applying finite element analysis（FEA）, we simulated an installation load history through the reel, aligner, and straightener and analyzed the property variations. The impact of weld defects during the installation process, lack of penetration and lack of fusion, was also discussed. Based on the FEA results, we used the Brown-Miller criterion combined with the critical plane approach to predict the fatigue life of reeled and non-reeled models. The results indicated that a weld defect has a significant influence on the material properties of a riser, and the reel-lay method can significantly reduce the fatigue life of SCRs. The analysis conclusion can help designers understand the mechanical performance of welds during reel-lay installation.

Fatigue Defect of Layer Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

An experimental study is carried out on fatigue defect of layer steel fiber reinforced concrete (LSFRC). Based on experimental data,the various relation curves are given corresponding to different stress levels 0.9, 0.85, and 0.8. Furthermore, the fatigue defect degree is defined, and the strain cycle ratio equations and defect cycle ratio equations with the correlation coefficients very close to 1, are regressed in terms of the cubic polynomial,of which the fittings are preferable.In addition,the results show that the fatigue defect of LSFRC presents three phase development regularity too.And in comparison with the plain concrete,the third phase of the fatigue defect of LSFRC is longer, therefore the fatigue failure of LSFRC is more ductile.The mechanism of the fatigue defect is discussed too.

VOLUME DEFECT FATIGUE FAILURE OF CERAMIC BALLS UNDER ROLLING CONDITION

A newly developed pure rolling fatigue test rig with three contact points is used to test the rolling contact fatigue properties of silicon nitride ceramic balls. Ball surfaces are examined after failure with optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The failure cause, fatigue phenomenon and mechanics are analyzed. The research shows that subsurface cracks play a dominant role in the formation of spalling failure. These cracks originated from volume defects of the material and propagate, to form elliptical fatigue spalls under the action of principal tensile stresses. The principal tensile stress increases with increasing contact load, causing spall formation and reduction of rolling contact life. The greater the principal tensile stress is, the more severe the peeling of near surface is. Under the same condition, the closer volume defects are to the surface, the more likely failure occurs, the shorter the rolling contact life is.