The reliability assessment method for sealing structure of subsea horizontal clamp connector based on sealing and strength

• Published in: Ocean engineering Vol. 311; p. 118938
• Main Authors: Liu, Weifeng, Yun, Feihong, Ju, Ming, Yao, Shaoming, Chen, Xi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Contact stress; Reliability; Structural sealing failure; Structural strength failure; Subsea horizontal clamp connector; Structural sealing failure; Subsea horizontal clamp connector; Reliability; Contact stress; Structural strength failure
• ISSN: 0029-8018
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.118938

The reliability assessment of the Subsea Horizontal Clamp Connector (SHCC) sealing performance faces a challenge due to the lack of characteristic dimension evaluation methods. Hence, this paper develops the Comprehensive Sealing Reliability Evaluation (CSRE) method. This approach allows for the simultaneous analysis of failure in two dimensions: structural sealing and structural strength, incorporating the uncertainty of fuzzy stress in the evaluation. The CSRE method is based on Bayesian networks, using contact stress as a critical parameter to establish structural sealing failure nodes with gasket coefficients combined with the API standards for acceptance. Simultaneously, it establishes structural strength failure nodes using an improved stress interference model. When applying the CSRE method, this paper, through Monte Carlo simulations combined with torque transmission mechanics and finite element contact models, analyzes the reliability variations of the developed SHCC under different torque levels. The results indicate that the sealing reliability of SHCC is related to sealing pressure and structural strength, with excessively high or low torque affecting its sealing reliability. At an input torque of 2400 N·m, its reliability reaches the maximum value, which is 0.9912. The presented CSRE approach, validated through experimentation and method comparison, demonstrates greater alignment with engineering practicality. •This article proposes the Comprehensive Sealing Reliability Evaluation (CSRE) method, based on Bayesian networks, with contact stress as a key parameter. It establishes structural sealing and strength failure nodes using gasket coefficients and API standards, and incorporates fuzzy stress uncertainties. Experimental verification shows this method's practicality.•This paper employs the Monte Carlo method, torque transmission mechanics models, and finite element contact models to analyze SHCC's contact stress distribution. The process considers friction coefficient variability, aligning it with engineering reality.•This paper uses the CSRE method to assess the sealing reliability of the Deep-Sea Horizontal Clamp Connector (SHCC) and addresses the torque range challenge by analyzing reliability variations under different torque conditions.