| Abstract: | Finite element simulations of the contact conditions and stresses which evolve as a thin walled polymeric pipe liner deforms under uniform pressure are presented. The support received by a liner from its host pipe is seen to be a function of the thickness of the liner, with thinner liners receiving more support. The nature of this support is described in terms of contact forces and areas. The stress evolution is quantified by decomposing the stress at the critical point into flexural and compressive components. Ratios of flexural stress to compressive stress greater than two indicate the dominance of flexural stresses and suggest that flexural properties may be most appropriate when designing liners to resist buckling. Likewise, stress ratios less than two suggest that compressive properties may be most appropriate. Flexural to compressive stress ratios are seen to increase with increasing host pipe ovality, gap between the liner and host pipe, longitudinal imperfections, and applied pressure. |
