ABSTRACT
The present research performs large deformation finite element analysis in ABAQUS with an aim to capture the continuously altering seabed geometry as an object, dropped from a height, penetrates the soil and subsequently hit the pipe buried inside. Adoption of such an advanced numerical technique enabled realistic modelling of the complicated interaction between dropping object-pipe-soil which eventually contributes in the precise assessment of the pipeline responses to such a dynamic loading. The effect of object shape along with the mass, impact velocity of the object, undrained shear strength of soil, burial depth on the buried pipe response is carefully examined. The research also investigates the evolution of the velocity of the object during its movement through soil which eventually helps is estimating the object’s velocity while hitting the pipe. These outcomes could potentially be very useful for a more rigorous investigation of pipeline response.
