Lunch and Learn: Advances in Pipe-Soil Interaction and Stability Analysis for Offshore Pipelines and Cables.

Tuesday, June 17, 12-1 p.m.

EN-4000

Abstract:

Subsea pipelines and cables are regarded as the lifeline of offshore oil, gas, and renewable energy developments, yet their stability and integrity are challenged by complex interactions among waves, currents, temperature-pressure fluctuations, and seabed conditions. This seminar presents a series of advances in understanding and engineering the pipe-soil interaction mechanisms on complex seabed’s such as calcareous sands.

The talk will first introduce a three-dimensional framework for pipeline stability, built upon a plasticity-based dual yield surface “bubble” model that captures nonlinear seabed resistance under cyclic loading. Validated through centrifuge tests, this theoretical foundation led to the development of a macro-element approach for efficient 3D analyses.

Second, the seminar will introduce the development of UWAPipe and UWAHydro, numerical tools for time-domain simulation of pipelines under combined wave-current loading, which have been adopted by engineering firms such as JP Kenny and Technip and applied to deepwater projects including Gorgon and Wheatstone.

Lastly, the seminar will explore a new mechanism of axial pipeline instability under combined thermal and pressure effects. Analytical solution and physical modeling system for axial pipeline walking will be presented.

Presented by Engineering Research Office

Event Listing 2025-06-17 12:00:00 2025-06-17 13:00:00 America/St_Johns Lunch and Learn: Advances in Pipe-Soil Interaction and Stability Analysis for Offshore Pipelines and Cables. Abstract: Subsea pipelines and cables are regarded as the lifeline of offshore oil, gas, and renewable energy developments, yet their stability and integrity are challenged by complex interactions among waves, currents, temperature-pressure fluctuations, and seabed conditions. This seminar presents a series of advances in understanding and engineering the pipe-soil interaction mechanisms on complex seabed’s such as calcareous sands. The talk will first introduce a three-dimensional framework for pipeline stability, built upon a plasticity-based dual yield surface “bubble” model that captures nonlinear seabed resistance under cyclic loading. Validated through centrifuge tests, this theoretical foundation led to the development of a macro-element approach for efficient 3D analyses. Second, the seminar will introduce the development of UWAPipe and UWAHydro, numerical tools for time-domain simulation of pipelines under combined wave-current loading, which have been adopted by engineering firms such as JP Kenny and Technip and applied to deepwater projects including Gorgon and Wheatstone. Lastly, the seminar will explore a new mechanism of axial pipeline instability under combined thermal and pressure effects. Analytical solution and physical modeling system for axial pipeline walking will be presented. EN-4000 Engineering Research Office