Mooring chain strength tests and ductile failure modeling using micromechanics and phenomenology based failure models

• Published in: Ocean engineering Vol. 195; p. 106663
• Main Authors: Sachan, Ankit, Choo, Yoo Sang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Ductile damage; Ductile failure; Mooring chain; Porous metal plasticity; Shear failure; Ductile failure; Shear failure; Porous metal plasticity; Ductile damage; Mooring chain
• ISSN: 0029-8018; 1873-5258
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2019.106663

Mooring chains in many offshore floating facilities have failed due to overloading under extreme environmental events. The ductile failure in chains due to overloading has not been addressed in past studies. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the ductile failure in chain links using micromechanics and phenomenology based numerical models. The material damage model parameters are established using material stress-strain plots obtained from tensile tests on coupons, extracted from a R3 grade steel chain link. The validation of material degradation models is achieved by comparing results from numerical studies and monotonic loading tests on mooring chain links of 76 mm nominal diameter. The material models successfully capture the failure mode and strength of the chain links. •Non-linear behavior estimation of 76 mm stud chain specimens of R3 grade steel using monotonic loading tests.•Material strength tests on tensile coupon specimens extracted from R3 grade steel stud chain link.•Identification and calibration of micromechanics and phenomenology based material failure models.•Use of material damage models in conjunction with elastic-plastic material definition established using material tests.•ABAQUS/Explicit analysis is utilized for ductile fracture modeling in the stud chain links.