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From:
S. P. Lele, J. M. Hamilton, M. Panico and H. Arslan (ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston, Texas, USA),
“Advanced Continuum Modeling to Determine Pipeline Strain Demand Due to Ice-Gouging”, International Journal of Offshore and Polar Engineering, Vol. 23, No. 1, March 2013, pp. 22–28
ABSTRACT: A critical factor for economical design of offshore Arctic pipelines is the burial depth requirement to protect the pipeline from ice-gouge hazards. The current methodology to determine pipeline strain demand due to ice-gouge hazards is based on Winkler-type soil-spring structural models. Due to necessary simplifications and lack of full-scale verification data, this empirical method can be overly conservative and may lead to unrealistic burial depth requirements. This paper presents an advanced 3D continuum modeling approach as an alternative to the current empirical methodology. These advanced models provide more realistic simulation capability for modeling the ice-gouging process, can provide more accurate estimates for pipeline strain demand, and can potentially reduce the required burial depths and costs. Continuum models, once validated using large-scale field tests, can be used to advance the reliability and cost effectiveness of design for offshore pipelines subjected to ice-gouging.
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