RESPONSE OF PIPELINES UNDER VIV: AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

Pipelines laid on an uneven bottom often have free spans. For cases with long spans, one may have several modes and eigenfrequencies that can be excited by vortex shedding. Furthermore, due to the sag effect of a long free-span, the dynamic properties are different in vertical and in horizontal directions. This causes a complex response pattern in the cross-flow (CF) and in-line (IL) directions. From previous research we know that pure IL response at relatively low current velocities may significantly contribute to fatigue damage. This response type must be studied in addition to the combined IL and CF response. The objective of this paper is to present experimental results from flexible beam experiments where both response types are studied, as well as to present results from an empirical response model for the same cases. The empirical model is based on two types of experiments. The first set of experiments were conducted with a flexible pipe for both single and double span configuration. Pure IL and combined IL and CF motions were observed. In the second set of experiments, forces on a rigid cylinder were measured under forced motions in a current. The motions were found from measurements of cross section in the flexible pipe tests. Hydrodynamic coefficients such as drag, added mass, excitation and damping force coefficients were found and then applied in the empirical response model. In the present paper the results from the flexible beam experiments are presented and also compared with the results from the empirical response model. The results so far are encouraging, but further work and more data are needed in order to have a general and robust response model for combined CF and IL VIV.