3D SCOUR OF SUBMARINE PIPELINE AT TOUCHDOWN POINT: AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

This research presents the preliminary results obtained from the experimental study of 3D scour of submarine pipelines at its touchdown point. The results obtained from this study will increase our understanding on the mechanism of scour propagation at the touch down point of pipelines. Experiments were carried out inside a laboratory flume with piezoelectric miniature pressure sensors to measure pressure gradient across the pipe. Experiments were performed under unidirectional steady current with uniform sediments as bed. The scour pattern under initial embedment depth of pipeline is obtained. Preliminary result showed the importance of span-wise (longitudinal) scour in causing failure of the submarine pipelines.