Experimental Investigation on Vortex-Induced Vibration of Steel Catenary Riser

Steel catenary riser(SCR) is the transmission device between the seabed and the floating production facilities. As developments move into deeper water, the fatigue life of the riser can become critical to the whole production system, especially due to the vortex-induced vibration(VIV), which is the key factor to operational longevity. As a result, experimental investigation about VIV of the riser was performed in a large plane pool which is 60 m long, 36 m wide and 6.5 m deep. Experiments were developed to study the influence of current speed and seabed on VIV of SCR. The results show that amplitudes of strain and response frequencies increase with the current speed both in cross-flow(CF) and in-line(IL). When the current speed is high, multi-mode response is observed in the VIV motion. The amplitudes of strain in IL direction are not much smaller than those in CF direction. The seabed has influence on the response frequencies of riser and the positions of damage for riser.     

Experimental Investigation on Vortex-Induced Vibration of Steel Catenary Riser

Steel catenary riser (SCR) is the transmission device between the seabed and the floating production facilities. As developments move into deeper water, the fatigue life of the riser can become critical to the whole production system, especially due to the vortex-induced vibration (VIV), which is the key factor to operational longevity. As a result, experimental investigation about VIV of the riser was performed in a large plane pool which is 60 m long, 36 m wide and 6.5 m deep. Experiments were developed to study the influence of current speed and seabed on VIV of SCR. The results show that amplitudes of strain and response frequencies increase with the current speed both in cross-flow (CF) and in-line (IL). When the current speed is high, multi-mode response is observed in the VIV motion. The amplitudes of strain in IL direction are not much smaller than those in CF direction. The seabed has influence on the response frequencies of riser and the positions of damage for riser.     

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。     

Critical Top Tension for Static Equilibrium Configuration of A Steel Catenary Riser

This paper aims to present the critical top tension for static equilibrium configurations of a steel catenary riser（SCR） by using the finite element method. The critical top tension is the minimum top tension that can maintain the equilibrium of the SCR. If the top tension is smaller than the critical value, the equilibrium of the SCR does not exist. If the top tension is larger than the critical value, there are two possible equilibrium configurations. These two configurations exhibit the nonlinear large displacement. The configuration with the smaller displacement is stable, while the one with larger displacement is unstable. The numerical results show that the increases in the riser＇s vertical distances, horizontal offsets, riser＇s weights, internal flow velocities, and current velocities increase the critical top tensions of the SCR. In addition, the parametric studies are also performed in order to investigate the limit states for the analysis and design of the SCR.     

Critical Top Tension for Static Equilibrium Configuration of A Steel Catenary Riser

This paper aims to present the critical top tension for static equilibrium configurations of a steel catenary riser (SCR) by using the finite element method. The critical top tension is the minimum top tension that can maintain the equilibrium of the SCR. If the top tension is smaller than the critical value, the equilibrium of the SCR does not exist. If the top tension is larger than the critical value, there are two possible equilibrium configurations. These two configurations exhibit the nonlinear large displacement. The configuration with the smaller displacement is stable, while the one with larger displacement is unstable. The numerical results show that the increases in the riser’s vertical distances, horizontal offsets, riser’s weights, internal flow velocities, and current velocities increase the critical top tensions of the SCR. In addition, the parametric studies are also performed in order to investigate the limit states for the analysis and design of the SCR.     

钢悬链线立管与海床土体接触问题的ANSYS有限元分析

钢悬链线立管(SCR)与海床土体的接触问题对立管的疲劳寿命影响很大.运用ANSYS有限元软件中的接触单元模拟SCR与海床接触处的相互作用,考虑海床土体的非线性,建立SCR与海床系统有限元模型,并同已有的等价梁-弹簧模型进行了比较和验证.运用该模型进行计算分析,探讨了管道重量、土体模型和摩擦系数等对管道入土深度和弯矩的影响,为进一步研究SCR与海床的相互作用提供参考.     

深水开发的新型立管系统——钢悬链线立管(SCR)

1种全新的深水立管系统——钢悬链线立管（Steel Catenary Riser,SCR）在翠西哥湾（Golf of Mexico）、坎普斯湾（Campos Basin）、北海（North Sea）和西非（West Africa）得到了成功应用。它的适用水深为300～3000m,且适用现有任何浮式结构,从浅水的固定式平台到极深水的浮式生产储运系统（FPSO）。因此,它取代了传统的柔性立管和顶张力立管,成为深水油气开发的首选立管,被认为是深水立管系统的成本有效的解决方案。     

Numerical Investigation on Severe Slugging in A Catenary Riser

A mathematical model is presented to study the main characteristics of severe slugging in a downward inclined pipeline followed by a catenary riser. In this model, both simplified transient model and phase distribution model are included so that the flow characteristics of each stage for severe slugging can be accurately reproduced, especially for blowout stage. The results show that the flow features of severe slugging can be simulated by the proposed mathematical model. A good agreement between the experimental data and the numerical results is observed. The model can predict the transient fluctuation of many respects, such as the superficial gas velocity at the bottom of the riser and the average velocity at the outlet of the riser.     

Experimental and Computational Investigations on Severe Slugging in A Catenary Riser

Severe slugging can occur in a pipeline-riser system at relatively low liquid and gas flow rates during gas-oil transportation, possibly causing unexpected damage to the production facilities. Experiments with air and water are conducted in a horizontal and downward inclined pipeline followed by a catenary riser in order to investigate the mechanism and characteristics of severe slugging. A theoretical model is introduced to compare with the experiments. The results show that the formation mechanism of severe slugging in a catenary riser is different from that in a vertical riser due to the riser geometry and five flow patterns are obtained and analyzed. A gas-liquid mixture slug stage is observed at the beginning of one cycle of severe slugging, which is seldom noticed in previous studies. Based on both experiments and computations, the time period and variation of pressure amplitude of severe slugging are found closely related to the superficial gas velocity, implying that the gas velocity significantly influences the flow patterns in our experiments. Moreover, good agreements between the experimental data and the numerical results are shown in the stability curve and flow regime map, which can be a possible reference for design in an offshore oil-production system.     

复杂载荷作用下立管触地段损伤管道的动力响应

触地段(Touchdown zone, TDZ)是在役钢悬链线立管(Steel catenary riser, SCR)的关键部位,在复杂载荷作用下,极易形成损伤缺陷,其载荷寿命的评估是深海结构工程中的一个关键问题。本文以大型有限元软件ABAQUS为平台,运用损伤管道实体单元与土弹簧阻尼单元相互作用的模型模拟触地段损伤海底管道在复杂载荷作用下的动力响应,数值计算考虑了管-土相互作用过程中的材料非线性、几何非线性以及接触非线性。讨论了单一环向体积损伤位于触地段管道的不同位置时,触地段损伤管道在不同载荷作用下的动力特性及特征点的动力响应。结果表明,管道所受内外压力以及管道提升端的竖向位移载荷会影响结构的自振频率;体积损伤部位的动力响应较完好部位更剧烈;体积损伤的位置和动力载荷频率对管道动力放大系数的影响很大;当动力载荷的激励频率越接近结构基频时,损伤管道的动力响应及动力放大系数越大。     

Displacement Response Reconstruction of Slender Flexible Structures Based on Cubic Spline Fitting Method

How to reconstruct a dynamic displacement of slender flexible structures is the key technology to develop smart structures and structural health monitoring(SHM), which are beneficial for controlling the structural vibration and protecting the structural safety. In this paper, the displacement reconstruction method based on cubic spline fitting is put forward to reconstruct the dynamic displacement of slender flexible structures without the knowledge of modeshapes and applied loading. The obtained strains and displacements are compared with the results calculated by ABAQUS to check the method's validity. It can be found that the proposed method can accurately identify the strains and displacement of slender flexible structures undergoing linear vibrations, nonlinear vibrations, and parametric vibrations. Under the concentrated force, the strains of slender flexible structures will change suddenly along the axial direction. With locally densified measurement points, the present reconstruction method still works well for the strain concentration problem.     

Dynamic Response Analysis of the Equivalent Water Depth Truncated Point of the Catenary Mooring Line

The real-time computer-controlled actuators are used to connect the truncated parts of moorings and risers in the active hybrid model testing system. This must be able to work in model-scale real time, based on feedback input from the floater motions. Thus, mooring line dynamics and damping effects are artificially simulated in real time, based on a computer-based model of the problem. In consideration of the nonlinear characteristics of the sea platform catenary mooring line, the equations of the mooring line motion are formulated by using the lumped-mass method and the dynamic response of several points on the mooring line is investigated by the time and frequency domain analysis method. The dynamic response of the representative point on the mooring line is analyzed under the condition of two different corresponding upper endpoint movements namely sine wave excitation and random wave excitation. The corresponding laws of the dynamic response between the equivalent water depth truncated points at different locations and the upper endpoint are obtained, which can provide technical support for further study of the active hybrid model test.     

Experimental Study on Response Performance of VIV of A Flexible Riser with Helical Strakes

Laboratory tests were conducted on a flexible riser with and without helical strakes. The aim of the present work is to further understand the response performance of the vortex induced vibration(VIV) for a riser with helical strakes. The experiment was accomplished in the towing tank and the relative current was simulated by towing a flexible riser in one direction. Based on the modal analysis method, the displacement responses can be obtained by the measured strain. The strakes with different heights are analyzed here, and the response parameters like strain response and displacement response are studied. The experimental results show that the in-line(IL) response is as important as the cross-flow(CF) response, however, many industrial analysis methods usually ignore the IL response due to VIV. The results also indicate that the response characteristics of a bare riser can be quite distinct from that of a riser with helical strakes, and the response performance depends on the geometry on the helical strakes closely. The fatigue damage is further discussed and the results show that the fatigue damage in the CF direction is of the same order as that in the IL direction for the bare riser. However, for the riser with helical strakes, the fatigue damage in the CF direction is much smaller than that in the IL direction.     

Experimental Study on Response Performance of VIV of A Flexible Riser with Helical Strakes

Laboratory tests were conducted on a flexible riser with and without helical strakes. The aim of the present work is to further understand the response performance of the vortex induced vibration (VIV) for a riser with helical strakes. The experiment was accomplished in the towing tank and the relative current was simulated by towing a flexible riser in one direction. Based on the modal analysis method, the displacement responses can be obtained by the measured strain. The strakes with different heights are analyzed here, and the response parameters like strain response and displacement response are studied. The experimental results show that the in-line (IL) response is as important as the cross-flow (CF) response, however, many industrial analysis methods usually ignore the IL response due to VIV. The results also indicate that the response characteristics of a bare riser can be quite distinct from that of a riser with helical strakes, and the response performance depends on the geometry on the helical strakes closely. The fatigue damage is further discussed and the results show that the fatigue damage in the CF direction is of the same order as that in the IL direction for the bare riser. However, for the riser with helical strakes, the fatigue damage in the CF direction is much smaller than that in the IL direction.     

细长圆柱体非均匀磁化研究

一般认为细长圆柱形均匀介质在均匀外磁场中是均匀磁化,但近距离试验证明其轴向是非均匀磁化。细长体是一类较普遍存在的物体,近距离试验时其非均匀磁化特性十分重要,这方面的研究有现实意义。应用圆柱体面磁荷和体磁荷观点建立圆柱体磁化强度方程组,解方程得到其磁化强度曲线,由曲线计算得到的场强结果和试验数据吻合。这种得到圆柱体磁化强度曲线的结果和方法在以前文献中未见报道。     

Multiaxial Fatigue Analysis on Reeled Deepwater Steel Catenary Risers with Girth Weld Defects

In the present study, we simulated the reel-lay installation process of deepwater steel catenary risers（SCRs） using the finite element method and proposed multiaxial fatigue analysis for reeled SCRs. The reel-lay method is one of the most efficient and economical pipeline installation methods. However, material properties of reeled risers may change, especially in the weld zone, which can affect the fatigue performance. Applying finite element analysis（FEA）, we simulated an installation load history through the reel, aligner, and straightener and analyzed the property variations. The impact of weld defects during the installation process, lack of penetration and lack of fusion, was also discussed. Based on the FEA results, we used the Brown-Miller criterion combined with the critical plane approach to predict the fatigue life of reeled and non-reeled models. The results indicated that a weld defect has a significant influence on the material properties of a riser, and the reel-lay method can significantly reduce the fatigue life of SCRs. The analysis conclusion can help designers understand the mechanical performance of welds during reel-lay installation.     

Multiaxial Fatigue Analysis on Reeled Deepwater Steel Catenary Risers with Girth Weld Defects

In the present study, we simulated the reel-lay installation process of deepwater steel catenary risers (SCRs) using the finite element method and proposed multiaxial fatigue analysis for reeled SCRs. The reel-lay method is one of the most efficient and economical pipeline installation methods. However, material properties of reeled risers may change, especially in the weld zone, which can affect the fatigue performance. Applying finite element analysis (FEA), we simulated an installation load history through the reel, aligner, and straightener and analyzed the property variations. The impact of weld defects during the installation process, lack of penetration and lack of fusion, was also discussed. Based on the FEA results, we used the Brown-Miller criterion combined with the critical plane approach to predict the fatigue life of reeled and non-reeled models. The results indicated that a weld defect has a significant influence on the material properties of a riser, and the reel-lay method can significantly reduce the fatigue life of SCRs. The analysis conclusion can help designers understand the mechanical performance of welds during reel-lay installation.     

基于累积和算法的动态变形预警模型研究

利用GPS对构筑物进行动态变形监测,获取构筑物的动态变形序列,通过卡尔曼滤波处理变形时间序列,从而削弱相关噪声的影响,提取真实的变形信号,并通过FFT处理变形信号,验证其滤波效果.在分析累积和算法的前提下,构建构筑物预警模型,分析了平均运行长度及预警阈值等相关参数的选取原则.经实测数据分析,模型能有效检测到变形发生时刻,该方法能够提高GPS进行动态变形预警的可靠性,特别是为微小变形提供一定研究指导意义.     

Fatigue Characteristic Analysis of Deepwater Steel Catenary Risers at the Touchdown Point

This paper presents fatigue characteristic analysis of a deepwater steel catenary riser (SCR) under ambient excitations. The SCR involves complex nonlinear dynamic behaviors, especially at the touchdown point (TOP) where the riser first touches the seafloor. Owing to the significant interaction with soil, the touchdown zone is difficult to be modeled. Based on Lumped-Mass method and P-y curve, nonlinear springs are used to simulate the SCR-seabed coupled interaction. In case studies, an SCR's dynamic features have been obtained by transient analysis and the structure fatigue assessment has been carried out by S-N approach. The comparative analysis shows that the TOP is the key location where soil-riser interaction rises steeply and minimum fatigue life occurs. Parameters such as ocean environment loads, vessel motions, riser material and geometric parameters are discussed. The results indicate that the vessel motion is the principal factor for the structure fatigue lite distribution.     

考虑内流作用的缓波形立管非线性静动力分析

考虑内流的作用,研究缓波形立管在海洋环境荷载作用下的非线性静动力力学性能。采用细长柔性杆理论,建立缓波形立管运动方程,利用有限元法进行离散,运用Newton-Raphson法和Newmark-β法分别对立管进行静动力分析,编制缓波形立管计算分析程序LWRNM,研究缓波形立管在海流、内流、浮体漂移与运动作用下的结构响应。结果表明:随着海流从x负向变成x正向和流速的增大,缓波形立管线形变缓,有效张力增大,弯曲曲率的极值减小;随着内流流速的增加,缓波形立管的固有频率下降;随着顶部浮体从近端向远端漂移,缓波形立管的有效张力增大,弯曲曲率的极值减小;纵荡和垂荡作用下,缓波形立管的顶部有效张力变化周期与浮体激励周期相同,横荡作用下,顶部有效张力变化周期为浮体激励周期的二分之一,垂荡作用下,缓波形立管顶部有效张力变化幅值最大,纵荡作用下次之,横荡作用下最小。