Design and Calculation of Products from Composite Materials Using Software

Abstract

This article analyzes six types of composite pipes that are good replacements for corrosive steel and metal pipes for oil, gas, and water. The analysis of the six samples of composite pipes was done using the software program Hoffman Engineering, which is intended for the design and calculation of various types of products made of composite materials. For the analysis of the six composite pipes, the same diameter and the same length were taken, and variable parameters are: the type of material from which the composite pipes are made (carbon/epoxy, carbon-glass/epoxy and glass/epoxy), and the angle of winding of the fibers (10º and 90º degrees). Using the Hoffman Engineering software package, an analysis of the durability of the six differently designed composite pipes at high internal pressure was performed. The same conclusion was obtained from all analyses: the high internal pressure resistance of composite pipes is highly dependent on the fiber winding angle and the type of fibers used. Composite pipes obtained with a fiber winding angle of 90º have twice the internal pressure resistance compared to composite pipes obtained with a fiber winding angle of 10º. Composite pipes based on carbon fibers have the highest resistance to internal pressure, then composite pipes based on hybrid materials (glass and carbon fibers) and finally composite pipes based on glass fibers. Finally, a comparison was made with the obtained laboratory results for the same composite pipes. The same conclusion was obtained from all analyses: the high internal pressure resistance of composite pipes is highly dependent on the fiber winding angle and the type of fibers used. The composite pipes obtained by this process are durable and resistant to very high pressures.