Numerical and experimental analysis of umbilical cables under tension

Abstract

Umbilical cables are composite structures that consisting of metallic material and polymeric material. Analysing tension behaviour under axial loading is a key requirement to design the structure. A full three-dimensional finite element model is established in which the effect of radial deformation is given more attention. A plane finite element analysis is proposed to predict the radial stiffness of the inner core with several components. The tension behaviour of an umbilical cable is analysed by the proposed models. Tension tests of the umbilical cable were carried out. Compared with the available theoretical models in the literature, the finite element model has a satisfactory agreement with the experimental results. In addition, the finite element model is used for the assessment of the influence of the important parameters on the tension behaviour, which is helpful for the design of umbilical cable.