Fiber-reinforced flexible pipes are subjected to large axial tension loads in deep-water applications, which may result in the excessive deformation of the pipes. Owing to the anisotropy of the composite materials, accurately describing the tensile behavior of these pipes is difficult. Theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods are employed in this study to investigate the mechanical characteristics of a glass fiber-reinforced unbonded flexible pipe under axial tensile loads. Based on the load–strain relationship of each pipe layer, analytical equations considering the effect of anisotropy and radial deformation are first proposed to calculate the axial tensile stiffness of the pipe. A detailed numerical model is established to simulate the tensile behavior of the pipe. A prototype test is performed on a 4500 mm long sample using a tensile testing machine. The leading roles of outer tensile reinforcement layers in axial tensile capacity are illustrated by the strain energy of the pipe layers obtained by the numerical model. Subsequently, a comparison analysis of the mean fiber direction strains of the selected sections are performed between numerical and experimental results, which validates the numerical model. Additionally, the stress distributions of different pipe layers are discussed based on the results of the numerical analysis. Finally, the comparison of axial tensile stiffness results validates the accuracy of the analytical model considering radial deformation. This study proposes effective theoretical and numerical models to predict the tensile behavior of a fiber-reinforced flexible pipe, which provides useful references for the design and structural analysis of these pipes.

Fibre reinforced flexible pipes are subjected to radial compression loads caused by the tensioner during pipe laying, which may lead to excessive deformation or even damage of the pipe. In this study, the mechanical characteristics of a glass fibre reinforced unbonded flexible pipe are investigated under radial compression loading. In the theoretical analysis, the hoop reinforcement layer of the pipe is considered equivalent to an orthotropic circular tube. An analytical equation for calculating the radial stiffness of the circular tube per unit length is then derived based on the classical elastic theory of the ring. Radial compression tests are carried out with a universal testing machine and displacement loading within the elastic deformation range is applied to two 500 mm long samples. A 3D numerical model is established to simulate the compression process of the flexible pipe, through which the distribution characteristics of the displacement, strain and stress of the hoop reinforcement layer are also obtained. The load-displacement curves obtained from the tests and numerical model are linearly fitted to calculate the radial stiffness of the pipe. The radial stiffness obtained by the numerical model is very close to that obtained by the analytical method. However, owing to factors such as material defects and initial ovality, the radial stiffness measured experimentally is lower than the analytical result.