Probabilistic analysis of composite pressure vessel for subsea blowout preventers

The buckling behaviour of filament-wound carbon fibre–epoxy composite pressure vessel with aluminium liner for subsea blowout preventer is investigated by using probabilistic finite element analysis method and hydrostatic pressure test. The critical buckling pressure which is predicted by means of Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) and Response Surface Method (RSM) of ANSYS probabilistic design system is compared with the experimental results. The influences of uncertainties of material properties and pressure vessel dimensions on the critical buckling pressure are researched. The results show that RSM and MCS predict the similar probability of buckling behaviour, which is lower than the calculated probability. The longitudinal modulus of composite material and thickness of composite layers have significant influences on the performance of composite pressure vessel, whereas winding angle, inside radius, shear modulus, Poisson’s ratio, unsupported length and transverse modulus have small influences. In addition, the results of finite element analysis by means of PDS and hydrostatic pressure test indicate good matches.

► The buckling behaviour of composite pressure vessel is investigated by using probabilistic finite element analysis method.
► The longitudinal modulus and thickness of composite layers have significant influences on the reliability.
► The results of finite element analysis and hydrostatic pressure test indicate good matches.