Abstract:
Apparatus and methods related to bending testing are described. For example, some embodiments may contain a clamp with pivot pin, pellet, tensioning device, and supporting platform, which can be used for testing the bending characteristics, such as bending stiffness, of a testing sample, which can be slender structures such as umbilicals, flexibles, and rigid pipes.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/940,840, Attorney Docket No. DMAR-001-1P, filed on Feb. 18, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    This present disclosure relates to bending testing. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    During oil and gas underwater field development, some more and more commonly used subsea equipment include slender structures such as umbilicals, flexibles, and rigid pipes. These slender structures have strong non-linear bending characteristics. Thus, linearized approximations of the bending stiffness of these slender structures are oftentimes not sufficient for ascertaining the bending characteristics of such structures. At the same time, the more complex non-linear bending characteristics cannot be derived directly from theoretical calculations alone. Apparatus and methods have been proposed for conducting bending testing to obtain the accurate bending characteristics of these slender structures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    In the drawings: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing the overview of an embodiment of the bending testing apparatus; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the top view of an embodiment of the bending testing apparatus; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing the zoomed-in view of the pattern of the holes pre-drilled on the testing platform of an embodiment of the bending testing apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    This document discloses apparatus and methods related to bending testing.  FIG. 1  shows an implementation of the apparatus and methods for bending testing. The bending testing for a testing sample  11  can be performed on a testing platform  12 . The testing sample  11  is fastened by two fasteners  13 A and  13 B on each end. The fasteners  13 A and  13 B are further attached to two extendable and retractable arms  14 A and  14 B that can be attached to the testing platform  12 . The fasteners  13 A and  13 B can be clamps, which can be further attached to the extendable and retractable arms  14 A and  14 B through two pivot pins  15 A and  15 B (or chain links, shackles, or other devices). The extendable and retractable arms  14 A and  14 B can be two hydraulic cylinders, winches, or other tensioning devices. The testing sample  11  can be positioned on the testing platform  12  along one or more pellets  17 A,  17 B, and  17 C. The pellets  17 A,  17 B and  17 C can be attached to the testing platform  12  by fitting into the pre-drilled holes  16  on the testing platform  12 . The pre-drilled holes  16  can be arranged in a defined pattern. For example, the pattern can be defined according to the formula X=R*sin[L/R], and Y=R*(cos[L/R]−1), wherein R is the bending radius, L is the sample half length, and X and Y are the coordinates for the pre-drilled holes  16  on the testing platform  12 . The pellets  17 A,  17 B and  17 C can be placed into the pre-drilled holes according to a defined pattern to help maintain a certain shape or curvature of the testing sample  11 . 
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows the top view of an implementation of the apparatus and methods for bending testing. A plurality of pellets is used to help maintain a uniform curvature and constant bending radius. 
         [0010]      FIG. 3  shows the zoomed-in view of the pattern of the holes pre-drilled on the testing platform of an implementation of the apparatus and methods for bending testing. The pellets can tightly fit in the pre-drilled holes on the testing platform, and can be moved from one hole to another based on the desired shape and curvature. The pellets can have threads at one end. The pellets can also be attached to the testing platform through a separate nut. The pellets can also have lock pin holes, and can be attached to the testing platform through a locking pin. 
         [0011]    In some implementations, the testing sample can be about five meters in length. Two clamps can be used to hold the two ends of the testing sample, and prevent slippage between adjacent parts of the testing sample, such as umbilical tubes or flexible layers. The clamps can have pivot pins to allow them to rotate freely, and the pivot pins can be controlled by a tensioning device, such as hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders can pull the testing sample to wrap around the pellets, and the hydraulic cylinder pulling loads can be recorded. 
         [0012]    In some implementations, the bending testing can be conducted as follows: (i) lay the testing sample on the testing platform; (ii) fasten the ends of the testing sample; (iii) position the pellets to the arc with desired radius; (iv) activate the hydraulic cylinders to pull the testing sample against the pellets; and (v) record the hydraulic cylinder tension time histories. From the tension time histories, the minimum tension required to achieve the desired bending radius can be derived. This minimum tension can then be decomposed into testing sample axial direction and normal direction, based on which the bending moment can be calculated. This bending moment can be the output of the testing result. When the steps above are completed, the hydraulic cylinders can be slacked slightly, and the pellets can be moved to the next testing radius, so that additional tests can be repeated at different radiuses. 
       OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    Various other adaptations and combinations of features of the embodiments and implementations disclosed are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.