*3.3.5. Analysis procedure*

A geometrically-nonlinear static analysis was employed, divided into a number of steps, as shown in **Figure 13**: (i) firstly, the temperature field was applied to the model; (ii) next the pipe was bent to the reel former and held; (iii) the temperature field was then set equal to the appropriate ambient temperature (either that recorded onsite for the validation study, or 20°C for the parametric study) in order to simulate the pipe and FJCs cooling down; (iv) next, the pipe was released, then (v) bent to the straightening former, and finally (vi) released again, thus completing the first bend cycle. The model simulated five full bending cycles in total (the latter four all with the temperature field set equal to the appropriate ambient temperature). As can be seen in **Figure 13**, after a full bend cycle there is a noticeable amount of plastic deformation present in the pipe after straightening; limiting this plastic deformation and avoiding buckling of the pipe and tearing of the coating are two of the main challenges posed by the reel-lay procedure.
