Drag chain elements

This problem contains basic test cases for one or more Abaqus elements and features.

This page discusses:

ProductsAbaqus/Standard

Elements tested

B21

B33H

DRAG2D

DRAG3D

Problem description

Model:

Each system tested contains a drag chain element attached to a beam element, which is fully restrained at the other end. For the two-dimensional case a B21 element has a DRAG2D element attached at the second node. A concentrated force is applied in the y-direction at the free end. To test the three-dimensional case, a DRAG3D element is attached to a B33H beam element. In the three-dimensional case the seabed lying in the global x–y plane is modeled as a rigid surface.

DRAG2D:
Friction limit 125.0
Horizontal length at slip 0.5
DRAG3D:
Total length of chain 131.0
Friction coefficient 0.3
Weight of chain per unit length 4.0
Length of chain lying on the seabed 104.0
Height of beam above the seabed 10.0

Results and discussion

The calculated reaction forces are in agreement with the applied loads: the applied force is recovered from the forces in the chain elements and reaction forces at the restrained node of the beam.