Research article Open access
Hydraulic expansion of submerged tubes is accomplished by propelling a mandrel through it using differential pressure. This process deforms the tube beyond its elastic limit. Toward the end of the expansion process, the mandrel pops out of the tube resulting in displacement, stress, and pressure waves propagating throu …
Research article Open access
This paper discusses the development of semi-empirical relations for the maximum stress concentration factor (SCF) around circular holes embedded in aluminum tubes under various expansion ratios and mandrel angles. Finite element models were developed to study the expansion of a typical aluminum tube with embedded hole …
Research article Open access
Conventional water-jet nozzle systems have been developed and partially used in the oil and gas industry to drill horizontal sidetracks. However, this technique still presents a few shortcomings associated with tube buckling and water jet sagging. Due to these problems, the drilled hole deviates from the desired path a …