Wave propagation in helically wire-reinforced pipes

Numerical prediction of wave characteristics of a helically wire–reinforced pipe is obtained using a Wave Finite Element method. The Wave Finite Element method combines analytical theory of wave propagation in periodic structures and conventional finite elements. The method takes advantage of commercial FE packages capability of modelling the dynamic behaviour of flexible pipes of arbitrary geometry, fluid and fluid–structure interaction. In this paper attention is focused on reinforced pipe constructions which consist of helically wound steel wire sandwiched in hard rubber material. The periodic properties of the system are exploited, resulting in a very low order FE model and very small computational cost. The method is described and illustrated by application to the pipe in vacuo and under internal pressure.