Numerical study of the vibration characteristics and vortex shedding modes of piggyback pipelines at low Reynolds numbers

A piggyback pipeline is a special configuration of offshore pipelines for offshore oil and gas exploration and is characterized by the coupling of a large-diameter pipe with a small-diameter pipe. This study conducts a numerical investigation of the transverse VIV characteristics of a piggyback pipeline at low Reynolds numbers, as the vortex shedding modes and vibration characteristics can be accurately represented under laminar flow conditions with minimal computational expense. The effects of influential factors, such as the mass ratio, position angle of the small pipe relative to the main pipe, and Reynolds number, on the VIV amplitude, frequency, vibration center, and mean lift coefficient are specifically examined. The results indicate that the mass ratio has a limited effect on the maximum VIV amplitude. However, as the mass ratio decreases, the lock-in region expands, and the vibration center of the piggyback pipeline deviates further from its original position. The VIV amplitude is minimized, and the lock-in region is the narrowest at a position angle of 45°, whereas the vibration center reaches its maximum displacement at a position angle of 135°. As the Reynolds number increases, the VIV amplitude slightly increases, accompanied by convergence of the vibration center toward its initial position. The mean lift coefficient and wake vortices are also analyzed to establish a connection with the vibration characteristics of the piggyback pipeline. The optimal configuration of the piggyback pipeline is also proposed on the basis of the present numerical results.