Response surface modeling to facilitate the parametric study of transversely impacted pressurized pipelines

Finite element analyses of the transverse impact behavior of pressurized pipelines were previously performed for a variety of outside pipeline diameters and internal pressures at two spanwise locations. In this study, quadratic response surface models (RSMs) based on a full factorial statistical design were developed to predict the maximum permanent deflection, absorbed energy, and maximum force calculated for a given impact event. The RSMs were characterized in terms of two independent variables: outside diameter and internal pressure. An analysis of variance was then conducted for each response and used to determine an appropriate statistical model. The parametric study results showed that RSMs can efficiently and accurately reveal the influences of the design variables on the lateral impact response of the pressurized pipelines.