Drag Chain Element Library

This section provides a reference to the drag chain elements available in Abaqus/Standard.

This page discusses:

See Also
Drag Chains
In Other Guides
*DRAG CHAIN
*RIGID SURFACE

Products Abaqus/Standard

Element Types

DRAG2D

Two-dimensional drag chain, for use in cases where only horizontal motion is being studied

DRAG3D

Three-dimensional drag chain

Active Degrees of Freedom

DRAG2D: 1, 2

DRAG3D: At the first node: 1, 2, 3. At the second node: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Additional Solution Variables

None.

Nodal Coordinates Required

DRAG2D: (X, Y) coordinates of the pipeline attachment node in the horizontal plane.

DRAG3D: (X, Y, Z) coordinates of both nodes.

Element Property Definition

Input File Usage

Use the following option to define the horizontal length at slip and the friction limit:

DRAG CHAIN

Use the following option to define the seabed for DRAG3D elements:

RIGID SURFACE

The rigid surface must be flat and parallel to the global (X, Y) plane.

Element-Based Loading

None.

Element Output

S11

The horizontal component of force supported by the drag chain in the plane parallel to the seabed.

S12

The vertical component of force in the drag chain for DRAG3D elements.

E11

The horizontal length of the drag chain for DRAG2D elements. The length of chain on the seabed floor (not suspended) for DRAG3D elements.

E12

The orientation of the drag chain (angle from the global X-axis).

Nodes Associated with the Element

DRAG2D: One node at the position where the chain attaches to the pipe.

DRAG3D: Two nodes. The first node is the node where the chain attaches to the pipe; the second node is the “reference node” of the rigid body containing the rigid surface that defines the seabed.