Subsea FRP pipeline performance in external pressure: Failure and external pressure-induced buckling

Abstract

The Subsea pipelines are subjected to high hoop stresses due to the hydrostatic pressure. When the internal pressure of the liquid has a higher value than the external hydrostatic one, there is a balance of the tensile and compressive stresses. However, during the offshore installation, the subsea pipelines are empty and the compression due to the hydrostatic pressure of the sea is predominant. High compressive stresses in FRP pipelines can cause failure or buckling. In the present work, an investigation of the external pressure-induced failure and buckling is carried out. Analytical formulae and results are provided and discussed.