Bolt Fatigue Failure within Cable Protection Systems

Exploring a Novel Method for Fatigue Calculations within Subsea Areas

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

J.B.L. Zwennes Mechanical Engineering

Contributors

K. Anupam Pavement Engineering - CEG (mentor)
Faculty
Mechanical Engineering
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Published Date

23-08-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

The rapid expansion of offshore wind energy has led to an increase in the installation of subsea cables, which are essential for electricity transmission. These cables are typically protected by Cable Protection Systems (CPS) designed to withstand environmental stresses. Although CPS failures are relatively costly and significant, their causes are not well understood. This study developed a hydrodynamic and finite element method (FEM) model to assess the fatigue life of bolts in CPS components. This revealed that waves perpendicular to the CPS cause significant loading fluctuations and identified the entry hole as a potential area for bolt fatigue failure. While the analysis indicated that bolts generally exceed their required fatigue life, the proposed methodology provides a valuable framework for analyzing fatigue in subsea structures. This approach offers insights for improving fatigue assessments and can be extended to other subsea components.

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