A modified beam modeling method considering dynamic characteristics for curved flexible pipes

When a curved or flexible pipe is modeled with straight beam elements, its flexibility, especially in bending behavior, is underestimated compared to its actual value. In this study, we present an equivalent beam modeling method for predicting the dynamic characteristics of curved flexible pipes, which can be applied similarly to curved pipes. To reflect rationally the increased flexibility of curved flexible pipes due to curvature, we introduce a strain energy concept into the proposed beam model. The validity of the proposed beam modeling method is verified through comparison with results by shell modeling and dynamic experiments.

► We propose an equivalent beam modeling method of curved bellows-type flexible pipes.
► A strain energy concept is introduced to consider the flexibility of the pipe bend.
► The validity of the proposed method is experimentally verified.
► Additional evaluations of the proposed method for various pipe bends are conducted.