Bending study of submarine power cables based on a repeated unit cell model

Journal Article (2023)
Author(s)

P. Fang (TU Delft - Transport Engineering and Logistics)

Xiao Li (Institute of High Performance Computing)

Xiaoli Jiang (TU Delft - Transport Engineering and Logistics)

J.J. Hopman (TU Delft - Ship Design, Production and Operations)

Yong Bai (Zhejiang University)

Research Group
Transport Engineering and Logistics
Copyright
© 2023 P. Fang, Xiao Li, X. Jiang, J.J. Hopman, Yong Bai
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.116606
More Info
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Publication Year
2023
Language
English
Copyright
© 2023 P. Fang, Xiao Li, X. Jiang, J.J. Hopman, Yong Bai
Research Group
Transport Engineering and Logistics
Volume number
293
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Abstract

Predicting the bending behaviours of a submarine power cable (SPC) is always a tough task due to its complex geometry and inner layer contact, not to mention the stick–slip mechanism. A full-scale finite element model is cumbersome during the early design stage and a more efficient model for practical use is required. Therefore, in this paper, a repeated unit cell (RUC) technique-based FE model is developed, which simplifies the bending analysis of SPCs using a short-length representative cell with periodic conditions. The verification of this RUC model is conducted from cable and component levels, respectively. The cable overall response is validated by the curvature-moment relationships from our cable bending tests regarding four cable samples whose material properties are obtained through a set of material tests. As for the component level, the behaviours of particular components are studied and compared with the results from a full-scale numerical model. Discrepancy is observed between the RUC model and the test, which can be explained by the distinctions of boundary conditions between these two methods. The proposed Cable-RUC model has been found robust and computationally efficient for studying SPCs under bending.