A flexible-segment-model-based dynamics calculation method for free hanging marine risers in re-entry

In re-entry,the drilling riser hanging to the holding vessel takes on a free hanging state,waiting to be moved from the initial random position to the wellhead.For the re-entry,dynamics calculation is often done to predict the riser motion or evaluate the structural safety.A dynamics calculation method based on Flexible Segment Model(FSM) is proposed for free hanging marine risers.In FSM,a riser is discretized into a series of flexible segments.For each flexible segment,its deflection feature and external forces are analyzed independently.For the whole riser,the nonlinear governing equations are listed according to the moment equilibrium at nodes.For the solution of the nonlinear equations,a linearization iteration scheme is provided in the paper.Owing to its flexibility,each segment can match a long part of the riser body,which enables that good results can be obtained even with a small number of segments.Moreover,the linearization iteration scheme can avoid widely used Newton-Rapson iteration scheme in which the calculation stability is influenced by the initial points.The FSM-based dynamics calculation is timesaving and stable,so suitable for the shape prediction or real-time control of free hanging marine risers.     

The effect of nonlinear multi-contact coupling with gap between risers and guide frames on global spar motion analysis

Nonlinear multi-contact coupling between vertical risers and guide frames inside the spar moon-pool is studied. The existing numerical model for hull/mooring/riser coupled dynamics analysis treats riser as an elastic rod truncated at the keel (truncated riser model), and the risers are free to slide in vertical direction with constant tension, while restricted in horizontal direction. The truncated riser model neglects the portion of the riser inside the moon-pool and tends to overestimate the spar pitch motion. In the newly developed model, the risers are extended through the moon-pool with realistic boundary conditions at multiple guide frames, and thus additional contact forces and moments on the spar hull are considered. The gap effects between the riser buoyancy-cans and riser guide frames are also modeled using three different types of gap springs. Their different dynamic characteristics are extensively studied. The new riser model also considers the Coulomb damping between buoyancy-cans and riser guide frames and also allows the impact-like contact force calculation on risers for ensuring fatigue analysis.     

Nonplanar multi-modal vibrations of fluid-conveying risers under shear cross flows

Risers/pipes conveying fluid are a typical kind of slender structures commonly used in marine engineering. It is of great academic significance and application value for us to evaluate and understand the vibration characteristics and nonlinear responses of these risers under the combined action of internal and external fluid flows. In this paper, the nonplanar vibrations and multi-modal responses of pinned-pinned risers in shear cross flow are numerically studied. With this objective in mind, the van der Pol wake oscillators are used to simulate the dynamical behavior of the vortex shedding in the wake. Two nonlinear equations of motion of the riser are proposed to govern the lateral responses of the riser structure. The nonplanar nonlinear equations for the riser and wake are then discretized by employing Galerkin's method and solved by using a fourth-order Runge–Kutta integration algorithm. Theoretical results show that the coupled frequencies for cross-flow (CF) and in-line (IL) motions and the corresponding coupled damping ratio could be influenced by the external and/or internal fluid velocities. Based on extensive calculations, the dynamical behavior of the riser with various internal and external flow velocities are presented in the form of bifurcation diagrams, time traces, phase portraits, oscillation trajectories and response spectrum curves. It is shown that some interesting dynamical phenomena, such as ‘lock-in’ state, ‘figure-of-eight’ trajectory and quasi-periodic oscillation, could occur in such a fluid-structure interaction system. Our results also demonstrate that the shear parameter can significantly affect the dynamic responses of the riser. When the shear parameter of the cross flow is large, multi-modal quasi-periodic responses of the riser can be excited, showing some new features undetected in the system of fluid-conveying risers in uniform cross flow.     

A static drilling riser model using free boundary conditions

A static three-dimensional analytical method for drilling risers experiencing large displacements and slip at the top joint is presented. The riser is described in cylindrical coordinates as a three-dimensional tensioned string, without bending or torsional stiffness. The vertical vessel displacement is not taken into account. The equilibrium configuration is obtained from the stationary condition of the total potential energy functional. Kinematic boundary conditions are introduced for the radial displacement only. The riser orientation at the top directly follows from the natural boundary conditions based on the variational treatment of the energy functional.     

Neural networks in the dynamic response analysis of slender marine structures

Risers and anchor lines play important roles in offshore oil exploitation activities nowadays. For this reason the proper analysis and design of such slender structures has been of a paramount interest. The principal characteristics to be accounted for in riser and mooring line analysis are the severe nonlinearities involved and the random dynamic effects associated. The Finite Element Method (FEM) is an essential step to cope with this kind of analysis. But the use of the FEM can be computationally very expensive for the solution of the resultant nonlinear differential equations of motion, because the time-domain integration should produce sufficiently long response time-histories using small time-steps in order to obtain reliable time-series statistics of any structural response parameter, e.g., top tension in an anchor line or stresses occurring at a critical section in a steel catenary riser (SCR). This paper presents a very efficient hybrid Artificial Neural Network (ANN)–Finite Element Method (FEM) procedure to perform a nonlinear mapping of the current and past system excitations (inputs) to produce subsequent system response (output) for the random dynamic analysis of mooring lines and risers. Firstly, a quite short FEM-based time-domain response simulation is generated. Then, an ANN is used to predict the remaining structural response time-history simulation. The hybrid ANN–FEM approach can be very efficient for predicting long response time-histories. It has been observed that a 3 h response time-history can accurately be obtained with approximately the computational cost of a 500 s one, i.e., 20 times faster than a complete simulation using finite element-based solution. Roughly, this can represent a reduction of about a dozen of hours of computer time for a single mooring line analysis and about two dozens of hours (or more) for a single SCR analysis, both belonging to a deep-water floating unit.     

内孤立波作用下顶部张紧式立管动力特性

基于内孤立波mKdV理论,采用考虑内流的细长杆动力学方程,结合改进的Morison公式,研究两层流体中内孤立波与顶张立管的相互作用问题。针对东沙群岛南部海域附近某实测内孤立波特征参数,计算分析在该内孤立波作用下某顶张立管的内孤立波载荷与运动响应,以及立管横截面弯矩及其应力的变化特性。研究表明,内孤立波不仅会对顶张立管产生突发性的冲击载荷以及大幅度水平变形,而且还会使其横截面弯矩及其应力显著增大。因此在深海立管的设计与应用中,内孤立波的影响是不可忽视的。     

Coupled dynamic analysis for wave interaction with a truss spar and its mooring line/riser system in time domain

A full time-domain analysis program is developed for the coupled dynamic analysis of offshore structures. For the hydrodynamic loads, a time domain second order method is developed. In this approach, Taylor series expansions are applied to the body surface and free-surface boundary conditions, and the Stokes perturbation procedure is then used to establish the corresponding boundary value problems with time-independent boundaries. A higher-order boundary element method (HOBEM) is developed to calculate the velocity potential of the resulting flow field at each time step. The free-surface boundary condition is satisfied to the second order by fourth order Adams–Bashforth–Moultn method. An artificial damping layer is adopted on the free surface to avoid the wave reflection. The mooring-line/tendon/riser dynamics are based on the rod theory and the finite element method (FEM), with the governing equations described in a global coordinate system. In the coupled dynamic analysis, the motion equation for the hull and dynamic equations for mooring-lines/tendons/risers are solved simultaneously using the Newmark method. The coupled analysis program is applied for a truss Spar motion response simulation. Numerical results including motions and tensions at the top of mooring-lines/risers are presented, and some significant conclusions are derived.     

Three-dimensional Lump-Mass formulation of a catenary riser with bending, torsion and irregular seabed interaction effect

A three-dimensional Lump-Mass formulation of a catenary riser, capable of handling irregular seabed interaction, with bending and torsional stiffness is presented in this paper. This formulation uses only three degrees of translational freedom and one independent torque variable for each computational node. The generality of the present formulation permits static and dynamic analyses of a wide range of offshore-related slender structure systems such as mooring cables, rigid and flexible risers as well as submarine pipelines. Four sets of results are presented for (i) a hanging catenary, (ii) as (i) but subjected to end torsion, (iii) a wire, chain and spring buoy mooring and (iv) a steel catenary riser on an irregular seabed.     

Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Deepwater Drilling Risers Subjected to Random Loads

Excited by ocean currents, random wave and vessel motion, deepwater drilling risers exhibit significant dynamic response. In time domain, a method is proposed to calculate the nonlinear dynamic response of deepwater drilling risers subjected to random wave and dynamic large displacement vessel motion boundary condition. Structural and functional loads, external and internal pressure, free surface effect of irregular wave, hydrodynamic forces induced by current and wave, as well as wave and low frequency (drift) motion of the drilling vessel are all accounted for. An example is presented which illustrates the application of the proposed method. The study shows that long term drift motion of the vessel has profound effect on the envelopes of bending stress and lateral displacement, as well as the range of lower flex joint angle of the deepwater riser. It can also be concluded that vessel motion is the principal dynamic loading of nonlinear dynamic response for the deepwater risers rather than wave force.     

顶部浮体激励下钢悬链线立管的动力响应分析

考虑钢悬链线立管大变形的特性以及内流的影响,利用Kane方法和拉格朗日应变理论建立钢悬链线立管的二维动力学模型。将顶部浮体的激励简化为一个沿顺流向的周期作用力施加于立管顶部,采用平均加速度法求解立管的动力响应。探讨顶部浮体不同激励频率下立管的非线性动力响应以及内流流速的大小对管道共振响应幅值的影响。     

深海采矿立管在波流载荷下的弯矩响应分析

采矿立管是深海采矿系统的重要组成部分，立管的弯矩分析是确保立管正常使用的重要指标。立管所处海洋环境复杂，且立管底部的自由边界条件使得立管弯矩特性难以分析。本文基于波浪理论，使用Abaqus 有限元软件建立海洋采矿立管的模型，运用Abaqus中的AQUA海洋工程模块，考虑立管在轴向力、自重、浮力、波浪载荷、海流载荷及模拟海上平台水平和升沉运动共同作用下，对采矿立管进行弯矩分析，计算了提升泵不同安装位置、不同中继仓重量变化对弯矩的影响，结果表明：提升泵会增大安装位置的弯矩幅度，且安装在不同位置对立管弯矩会产生叠加影响；中继仓重量的增加提高了立管整体稳定性，但会使提升泵处弯矩波动产生向中部延伸的不利影响。     

Dynamic Behaviors of A Marine Riser Under Two Different Frequency Parametric Excitations

The marine risers are often subjected to parametric excitations from the fluctuation top tension. The top tension on the riser may fluctuate with multiple frequencies caused by irregular waves. In this paper, the influence between different frequency components in the top tension on the riser system is theoretically simulated and analyzed. With the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, a dynamic model for the vibrations of the riser is established. The top tension is set as fluctuating with time and it has two different frequencies. The influences from the fluctuation amplitudes, circular frequencies and phase angles of these frequency components on the riser system are analyzed in detail. When these two frequencies are fluctuating in the stable regions, the riser system may become unstable because ω_1+ω_2≈2Ωn. The fluctuation amplitudes of these frequencies have little effect on the components of the vibration frequencies of the riser. For different phase angles, the stability and dynamic behaviors of the riser would be different.     

Spar平台与刚性立管及浮力罐耦合动力研究综述

Spar平台是深水和超深水海域中极具竞争力的平台类型。Spar平台中刚性立管顶端所需的张力由月池内部的浮力罐提供,浮力罐在水平方向由导向架支撑。平台运动过程中,浮力罐及立管与平台主体发生相对运动和相互动力作用,在水平方向上发生带有空隙效应的碰撞现象,在垂向产生库仑摩擦效应。这是一种复杂的非线性多点接触耦合动力现象,对平台主体和浮力罐的运动及性能都有着重要影响。因此,无论从平台主体设计及水动力性能方面,还是从浮力罐疲劳分析及安全性方面考虑,都有必要对Spar平台与浮力罐之间的耦合动力作用进行深入的研究。在介绍目前国际上Spar平台与浮力罐相关研究情况及进展的基础上,提出了今后研究的有关建议。     

Numerical Prediction of Vortex Induced Vibrations on Top Tensioned Riser in Consideration of Internal Flow

In consideration of the effect of the internal flowing fluid and the external marine environmental condition on the vortex-induced vibration （VIV） of top tensioned riser （Till）, the differential equation is derived based on work-energy principles and the riser near wake dynamics is modeled by Facchinetti＇ s wake oscillator model. Then Galerkin＇ s finite element approximation is implemented to derive the nonlinear matrix equation of the coupled equations and file corresponding numerical programs are compiled which solve the coupled equations directly in the time domain. The comparison of the predicted results with the recent experimental results and the prediction of SHEAR7 is performed. The results show the validity of the proposed method on the prediction of VIV of deep water risers. The effect of internal flow on the dynamic characteristics and dynmnic response of the riser is analyzed and several valuable conelusions are drawn.     

Dynamic Response Study of Steel Catenary Riser Based on Slender Rod Model

A numerical model of the steel catenary riser(SCR) is built based on the slender rod model. The slender rod model,which describes the behavior of the slender riser in terms of the center line position, can solve the geometrical nonlinearity effectively. In a marine environment, the SCR is under the combined internal flow and external loads,such as wave and current. A general analysis considers only the inertial force and the drag force caused by the wave and current. However, the internal flow has an effect on the SCR; it is essential to explore the dynamic response of the SCR with the internal flow. The SCR also suffers the lift force and the fluctuating drag force because of the current. Finite element method is utilized to solve the motion equations. The effects of the internal flow, wave and current on the dynamic response of the SCR are considered. The results indicate that the increase of the internal flow density leads to the decrease of the displacement of the SCR, while the internal flow velocity has little effect on the SCR. The displacement of the SCR increases with the increase of the wave height and period. And the increasing wave period results in an increase in the vibration period of the SCR. The current velocity changes the displacements of the SCR in x-and z-directions. The vibration frequency of the SCR in y-direction increases with the increase of the current velocity.     

Centrifuge modelling of SCR vertical motion at touchdown zone

Steel catenary risers (SCR) connect seabed pipelines and flow lines to floating structures used for oil and gas production in deep waters. Waves and currents induce motions of the structure and the risers. The repeated motions of the risers at the touchdown zone in turn induce loads on the seabed soil and might eventually cause fatigue damage to the risers. The analysis of riser fatigue damage is heavily dependent on the soil model. Soil behaviour at touchdown zone such as soil remoulding, stiffness degradation and deformation of the seabed at the touchdown zone further complicate the accurate assessment of riser fatigue damage, which is currently not appropriately quantified in existing design methods. This paper presents centrifuge model tests simulating the repeated vertical movement of a length of riser on clay seabed with increasing undrained shear strength with depth. During the tests, the pipe was subject to cyclic motion over fixed vertical displacement amplitude from an invert embedment of 0.5-3.5 pipe diameters into the soil. The test results show a significant progressive degradation of soil strength and diminution of excess pore water pressure with increasing number of riser penetration/uplift cycle. In view of the different types of environment loadings experienced by floating platforms and various soil conditions, tests were also conducted to investigate the effect of soil strength, riser displacement rate and loading mode on riser-soil interaction during repetitive penetration/uplift motion of the riser.     

Numerical Prediction of Vortex-Induced Vibrations on Top Tensioned Riser in Consideration of Internal Flow

In consideration of the effect of the internal flowing fluid and the external marine environmental condition on the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of top tensioned riser (TTR), the differential equation is derived based on work-energy principles and the riser near wake dynamics is modeled by Facchinetti''s wake oscillator model.Then Galerkin''s finite element approximation is implemented to derive the nonlinear matrix equation of the coupled equations and the corresponding numerical programs are compiled which solve the coupled equations directly in the timedomain. The comparison of the predicted results with the recent experimental results and the prediction of SHEAR7is performed. The results show the validity of the proposed method on the prediction of VIV of deep water risers.The effect of internal flow on the dynamic characteristics and dynamic response of the riser is analyzed and severalvaluable conclusions are drawn.     

国外深水钢悬链线立管研究发展现状

介绍国外在新型深水立管系统--钢悬链线立管关键技术方面的研究发展现状,论述浮体一、二阶运动对钢悬链线立管疲劳寿命的影响、浮体升沉运动对钢悬链线立管触地点疲劳寿命的影响;钢悬链线立管与海底相互作用机制的实验研究及结果;钢悬链线立管涡致振动与疲劳的研究现状.并简要论述钢悬链线立管触地点问题的研究结论.     

An inverse problem methodology for multiple parameter estimation in bend stiffeners

The flexible riser top connection is a critical region for lifetime assessment due to large tension/curvature variations and modeling uncertainties. The bend stiffener polyurethane mechanical response not only presents a nonlinear loading rate and temperature dependency but is also subjected to weather ageing during operation, which may affect its mechanical behavior over time. The top tension, employed for riser local cross-section stress calculation, is usually obtained from global dynamic analyses performed under selected environmental conditions, if direct measurement is not available. As a consequence, both the bend stiffener effect on the curvature distribution and the top tension time series present inherent uncertainties for riser lifetime (re)assessment. In the present work, a proposed monitoring approach composed by gyrometers installed along flexible riser/bend stiffener top connection system length combined with an inverse problem methodology is numerically investigated to estimate the following parameters: (i) polyurethane hyperelastic response and (ii) effective top tension. The top connection system is modeled using a large deflection beam bending model and the parameters are estimated using a damped least-square minimization approach with the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. For the preliminary feasibility investigation, the gyrometer experimental data is numerically estimated through Monte Carlo simulations. A case study is carried out to investigate the influence that the number of sensors, sensors arrangement, loading conditions and top connection model have on the inverse parameters estimation. The results indicate that the proposed monitoring approach and inverse parameter estimation methodology may effectively reduce flexible riser lifetime calculation uncertainties.     

海洋环境荷载下输液立管的静、动力特性研究

考虑管内流动流体和管外海洋环境荷载共同作用 ,建立海洋立管侧向运动微分方程。用Hermite插值函数离散 ,在微机上编写海洋立管静、动力分析程序 ,通过计算分析研究管内流体对立管侧向变形和应力的作用 ;另外 ,探讨管内流体的流动速度和立管顶端的预张力对立管动力特性的影响。结果表明 ,立管变形和应力均随管内流体流动速度增加而增大 ,同时内流速度的增大会降低立管的固有频率 ,但适当增大立管顶端预张力会抵消内流流速增加引起的固有频率下降。