Numerical analysis of offshore pipe-lay subjected to environment-induced non-uniformly distributed follower loads

The global pipeline configuration in installation is mainly governed by static lay effects, which, besides pipeline material properties and geometry, primarily depend on its submerged gravity and horizontal tension provided by the laying vessel. These loads are insensitive to the pipeline deformation and preserve both their values and their directions as the pipeline deforms throughout the whole course of the installation. However, these static...