Hydrodynamic forces on a pipeline with uneven embedment

Hongwei An, Liang Cheng, Ming Zhao

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paperpeer-review

    Abstract

    Hydrodynamic forces on a pipeline with uneven embedment on either side, subject to oscillatory flow, are investigated numerically. Two-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations with a k-w turbulent model are solved to simulate the flow in the fluid. It is assumed the seepage flow in the seabed is governed by Darcy's law and Laplace equation is solved to calculate the pore pressure under the assumption of isotropic and homogenous seabed. The effects of embedment depths and KC numbers on the hydrodynamic force are investigated. The flow structure and pressure distribution around the pipeline are discussed. The inline force and lift exerting on the pipeline are presented in the form of peak values and Fourier coefficients. It is found that flow structures around the pipeline are asymmetric due to the difference of seabed levels on the two sides of the pipeline. The degree of asymmetry increases with the increase of |e1-e2|D. Obvious difference exists between the hydrodynamic forces experienced by the pipeline in two succeeding halves of a period due to the asymmetric flow structure around the pipeline. The peak values of inline force and life reduce as e2|D increase for all values of e1 examined in this study. The maximum error of the inline force and lift predicted by using sixth order Fourier series is about 4%.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the ASME 2012 31st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering: OMAE2012: July 1-6, 2012, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    PublisherASME
    Pages855-864
    Number of pages9
    ISBN (Print)9780791844908
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    EventInternational Conference on Ocean_Offshore and Arctic Engineering -
    Duration: 1 Jul 2012 → …

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Conference on Ocean_Offshore and Arctic Engineering
    Period1/07/12 → …

    Keywords

    • pipelines
    • hydrodynamic loads
    • oscillatory flows
    • Navier-Stokes equations
    • subsea
    • pressure
    • uneven embedment

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