Effects of the Initial Geometric Imperfections on the Buckling Behavior of High-Strength UOE Manufactured Steel Pipes

Abstract

The effects of the initial geometric imperfections on the buckling response of grade X-100 UOE manufactured pipes are studied through finite element analysis (FEA). The initial geometric imperfections had been previously measured and quantified in terms of deviations in outside radius (OR) and wall thickness. The measurement results are used to develop imperfection models to be incorporated into buckling analysis. The OR deviation is seen to have insignificant effects on the buckling behavior, while the effects of thickness deviation are seen to be profound for both unpressurized and pressurized pipes. The geometric imperfection models are further investigated through a sensitivity study to isolate the most influential imperfection aspects on the buckling resistance of UOE pipes. A parametric study is carried out using these models and shows that excluding geometric imperfections will always result in overprediction of buckling capacity irrespective of D/t ratios.