Mechanisms and performance of fiber reinforced pipelines under tensile loading for offshore applications

Fiber-reinforced pipes offer excellent corrosion resistance for offshore applications, but maintaining structural strength in harsh marine conditions remains challenging. This study develops a multi-method comparative framework integrating theoretical, experimental, and numerical analyses to evaluate carbon (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced pipes (GFRP) under tensile loading. Results demonstrate that CFRP outperforms GFRP with 35% higher ultimate tensile strength, approximately 30% greater axial and rotational stiffness, and 4% lower plastic strain. The framework achieves exceptional predictive accuracy, with deviations below 5% among experimental, theoretical, and numerical results. Parametric analyses identify the optimal fiber winding angle of 50° for maximum axial capacity (160 kN) and a diameter to thickness ratio of 6 for best tensile performance (185 kN). These findings provide engineers with validated quantitative design guidelines for material selection and geometric optimization of corrosion-resistant offshore pipelines, directly enhancing long-term safety and sustainability in marine environments.