Overview of Submarine Pipeline Global Buckling

Theoretical results of global buckling study only can be used for judging critical buckling force of pipeline, which can not be used for post-buckling analysis. Initial imperfection is very important in global buckling of pipeline. In order to study effect of initial imperfection on post-buckling of pipeline, Finite element method is used. In this paper, FEM of pipeline exposed on seabed is built based on ANSYS, introducing method of initial imperfection is presented and amplitude of initial imperfection and length of initial imperfection are all analyzed, which can be used for design guideline.