Analysis of thermo-mechanical stress in three core submarine power cables

In this paper, a 2D thermal — mechanical coupled model is established using finite element modelling. Through simulation, the advantage of testing the whole cable is highlighted. It is found that the risk of creating a gap between dielectric and sheath is higher during cooling than heating especially when the sheath is plastically deformed. The deformed cable model is then studied through an electrical model. It is concluded based on the simulation results that the potential differences in the gaps created are found to be insufficient to trigger any degradation process.