The influence of nonlinear hysteretic seabed interaction on slug-induced stress oscillations in steel catenary risers

Steel catenary risers (SCRs) are usually cost-effective solutions in the development of offshore fields and the transferring of the hydrocarbons from the seabed to the floating facilities. These elements are subjected to the fatigue loads particularly in the touchdown zone (TDZ), where the oscillating SCR is exposed to cyclic contact with the seabed. The slug-induced oscillation is a significant contributor to the fatigue loads in the TDZ. The cyclic seabed soil softening under the wave-induced riser oscillations and the gradual penetration of the SCR into the seabed are widely accepted to have a significant influence on SCR fatigue performance. However, this has never been investigated for slug-induced oscillations due to the lack of integrated access to comprehensive numerical models enabling the simulation of the riser slugging and nonlinear hysteretic riser-seabed interaction at the same time. In this paper, an advanced interface was developed and verified using the multi-point moving tie constraint in order to examine the influence of cyclic seabed soil softening on slug-induced oscillations of SCR. The interface was integrated with a pre-developed user subroutine for modeling of the nonlinear hysteretic riser-seabed interaction and incorporated into a global SCR model in ABAQUS. A comprehensive parametric study was conducted to investigate the influence of slug characteristics and nonlinear seabed soil model on slug-induced, wave-induced, and combined wave/slug induced oscillations of SCR in the TDZ. It was observed that the nonlinear seabed model could significantly affect the embedment of the SCR into the seabed under the slug-induced oscillations and consequently improve the fatigue life. The developed user interface was found to be a strong framework for modeling riser slugging.     

Lateral cyclic interaction between catenary riser and soft seabed

The cyclic movement of a riser at the touchdown zone (TDZ), which involves complicated pipe–soil interaction, is critical to its long-term safety. Most previous studies have focused on the pipe–soil interaction of the riser in the vertical plane at the TDZ. Therefore, we conducted laboratory tests to investigate the pipe–soil interaction during lateral cyclic pipe movements and the influence of seabed evolution around the TDZ on the following vertical cyclic pipe movements. At the TDZ, the bell mouth shape of the clay bed and ladle-like shape of the pipe were observed during lateral cycling. The movement trajectory of the pipe as well as the gradual penetration process was recorded, which may be mainly attributed to the lateral ploughing and soil softening around the pipe. The test dynamic embedment factor (ratio of the dynamic embedment and static embedment) was 1.7–2.7. The enlargement of the TDZ during cycling was measured, which was mainly related to the movement of the trench surface point. The increase in the undrained strength of the soil at the TDZ after dynamic tests proves that a crust of soil was formed beneath the pipe owing to consolidation during cyclic pipe–soil interaction.     

非线性管土耦合作用下钢悬链式立管触地区敏感性分析

浮体运动和海床土刚度是引起钢悬链式立管(steel catenary riser,简称SCR)管土相互作用的关键因素,将导致SCR触地区的疲劳损伤。以工作水深为1500 m的浮式平台上生产立管SCR为研究对象,基于法向抗力模型和侧向阻力模型建立管土作用模型,在环境载荷和浮体运动作用下,开展SCR与浮式平台的整体分析,研究海床土参数对SCR触地区动态响应和疲劳寿命的敏感性。通过改变海床土的不排水抗剪强度Su0、强度梯度ρ、吸力因子f_suc、吸力衰减参数λ_suc以及再贯入系数λ_rep等,得到不同参数对触地区动力响应、疲劳寿命的影响规律。研究结果表明:①基于软黏土海床,随着不排水抗剪强度Su0的增加,触地区立管疲劳寿命减幅达到33.23%,敏感性最高;②吸力因子f_suc越大,立管疲劳寿命越小且减幅达23.77%,其敏感性较高;③随着再贯入系数λ_rep增大,触地区立管疲劳寿命增幅达到15.48%;④海床抗剪强度梯度ρ和吸力衰减参数λ_suc对立管疲劳寿命影响较小。研究结论能为SCR设计分析及安全服役提供重要参考。     

考虑非线性管-土接触模型的钢悬链线立管触地区动态曲率分析

钢悬链线立管(SCR)具有特殊的结构型式,循环载荷作用下,由于海床模型的不确定性易导致触地区产生较高的弯曲应力,引发疲劳损伤。基于非线性P-y曲线管-土接触模型,运用大挠度曲线梁模型来模拟SCR与海床土的相互作用,研究SCR在浮体二维运动和海床作用下,触地区的动态曲率变化情况。由计算结果可知:1)由于在立管的有效张力中考虑局部曲率的影响,导致立管触地区的有效张力显著增加,并产生较高的弯矩; 2)动态分析中,分别运用线弹性海床和非线性海床模型,研究立管触地区的相对曲率随相对时间的变化曲线,表明非线性海床将使触地区的相对曲率具有明显的非线性,且有多个峰值,变化幅度较大,并出现反向曲率; 3)垂荡运动比纵荡对曲率的影响大,且运动幅值越大,影响越明显。     

Trenching effects on dynamic behavior of a steel catenary riser

The fatigue life of a steel catenary riser (SCR) near its touch-down zone (TDZ) is substantially affected by its interaction with the seabed. Therefore, accurate estimate of the fatigue life of a SCR requires the understanding and realistic modeling of this interaction. The interaction depends on several factors, such as soil properties, riser characteristics, and the development of trenching at the seabed. Existing approaches for modeling the seabed in interaction with a SCR approximate the behavior of the seabed soil by linear or nonlinear spring and dashpot, which represent the stiffness and damping of the soil, respectively. However, these approaches do not account for certain phenomena resulting from the plastic deformation of soil, such as trenching development at the seabed. In this study, a more realistic approach is developed for simulating the interaction between a SCR and the seabed. In addition to the use of a realistic P–y curve (where P stands for the supporting force of the seabed and y for the vertical penetration of the riser into the seabed) to simulate the soil deformation during its interaction with the riser, it considers the development of a trench caused by continuous impact of a riser on the seabed and then its feedback effect on the variation of the bending moment along the riser. It is found that the trenching development on the seabed may decrease the maximum variation of bending moment of a riser near its TDZ. Since the variation of bending moment dictates the fatigue damage to the SCR, the results based on this approach indicate that the trenching development at the seabed may increase the fatigue life of the SCR and hence it may have important application to the design of a SCR.     

钢悬链式立管管土耦合作用的吸力效应研究

钢悬链式立管（steel catenary riser,简称SCR）的流线段敷设在海床上,在浮体运动和环境荷载作用下管线作拔出海床的上升运动时,软质海床的黏性性质将阻碍管线的拔出而表现出吸力效应。吸力的大小与管线的拔出速度和管土循环作用次数、土的重塑时间等相关。基于现有试验数据拟合得到吸力数值模型,用于改进立管动力分析程序,研究立管拔出速度和管径等对触地区吸力分布、动态响应和疲劳寿命的影响。结果表明：海床土吸力对立管触地区应力特别是弯曲应力的影响较大,二者的变化趋势相似;管径的影响主要体现在贯入深度与管径的相对大小,同一贯入速度下,管径越小则相对贯入深度越大,拔出位移与吸力也会越大,反之则越小;立管的拔出速度是影响海床吸力最大值和拔出位移的主要因素,土吸力和拔出位移随拔出速度的增大而增大,导致触地区的疲劳损伤加剧。因此,探究管土耦合作用的吸力效应及其对SCR触地区疲劳损伤的影响,可为SCR与复杂海床相互作用及工程应用提供重要参考。     

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.     

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.     

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。     

陵水17-2气田深水钢悬链立管强度敏感性分析研究

陵水17-2气田是国内首个采用钢悬链立管的深水气田。以该气田钢悬链立管(SCR)为例,结合国外经验确定了影响强度的主要因素,利用FLEXCOM软件建立了强度分析模型并进行了敏感性分析。通过对比分析,得到以下结论:管线重量公差较其他因素对立管强度有着更明显的影响,管线重量的正负公差分别对立管触地区和悬挂区强度影响较大,其中等效应力最大增加了13.5%;内部压力的变化对重质管线强度影响较轻质管线明显;柔性节点刚度对立管强度的影响主要集中在悬挂区;立管安装误差对悬挂区和触地区等效应力影响为6.5%～9.5%。为陵水17-2气田及其他类似工程提供参考和借鉴。     

Cross-Flow VIV-Induced Fatigue Damage of Deepwater Steel Catenary Riser at Touch-Down Point简

A prediction model of the deepwater steel catenary riser VIV is proposed based on the forced oscillation test data, taking into account the riser-seafloor interaction for the cross-flow VIV-induced fatigue damage at touch-down point （TDP）. The model will give more reasonable simulation of SCR response near TDP than the previous pinned truncation model. In the present model, the hysteretic riser-soil interaction model is simplified as the linear spring and damper to simulate the seafloor, and the damping is obtained according to the dissipative power during one periodic riser-soil interaction. In order to validate the model, the comparison with the field measurement and the results predicted by Shear 7 program of a full-scale steel catenary riser is carried out. The main induced modes, mode frequencies and response amplitude are in a good agreement. Furthermore, the parametric studies are carried out to broaden the understanding of the fatigue damage sensitivity to the upper end in-plane offset and seabed characteristics. In addition, the fatigue stress comparison at TDP between the truncation riser model and the present full riser model shows that the existence of touch-down zones is very important for the fatigue damage assessment of steel catenary riser at TDP.     

波频和慢漂组合作用下钢悬链线立管疲劳损伤研究

为了有效地考虑浮体慢漂运动对钢悬链线立管疲劳损伤的影响,提出了波频和慢漂运动组合作用下钢悬链线立管疲劳损伤简化计算的位置组合叠加法。其核心是:基于浮体慢漂运动概率分布选取若干典型慢漂位置,进行波频运动作用下钢悬链线立管动力响应分析;根据钢悬链线立管运动位置变化特征,截取若干慢漂位置对应的波频应力时程叠加到慢漂应力时程上,得到波频和慢漂运动的组合应力时程;编写基于雨流计数法的MATLAB程序处理立管各节点应力,采用海水环境下Do E.E型S-N曲线和Palmgren-Miner累积损伤准则计算立管各节点疲劳损伤。应用位置组合叠加法对某海域500 m水深的立管进行了疲劳分析,并与全耦合法、权重组合叠加法以及波频和慢漂疲劳损伤简单相加法的结果进行了对比,结果表明该方法具有较高的精度和效率。此外,进行了区域设定系数、波浪高度、波浪周期和土壤表面剪切强度等参数对组合作用下立管疲劳损伤的敏感性分析。     

钢悬链线立管与海床相互作用小尺寸三维试验研究

围绕钢悬链线立管(SCR)与海床的相互作用,在水箱内开展三维试验研究,研究在不同模拟运动激励下SCR触地点的应力状态。针对当前模拟试验中,全尺寸试验耗资巨大,且试验环境难以控制,缩尺试验大多模拟立管二维运动等现状,提出一套简单易行的三维管土作用试验装置,通过横向、纵向、垂向三个方向轨道位置的合理布置,使得立管可在单向、二维耦合和三个方向同时运动,对模型立管的顶端、底端的边界条件进行处理,通过驱动器在顶端施加位移,模拟在周期运动作用下,立管触地区与土的相互作用,在三维空间内研究立管的力学特性。由此指导立管的整体设计与分析,对保证SCR在深水油气开采中的安全可靠性,具有非常重要的意义。     

Modeling touchdown point oscillation and its relationship with fatigue response of steel catenary risers

The riser-seabed interaction resulting in a trench formed in the touchdown zone (TDZ) of steel catenary risers (SCR) has a significant influence on accumulated fatigue damage. Several studies have used different trench modeling approaches to investigate the trench effect on fatigue. However, contradictory observations have been reported with no coherent agreement on the beneficial or detrimental effect of the trench on fatigue. In this study, the significance of trench geometry in fatigue damage evaluation was investigated. Using analytical and numerical approaches, a meaningful relationship was observed between the trench slope in different zones and the peak fatigue damage. A new set of rules was proposed for the qualitative assessment of the overall trend of trench effect on the variation of fatigue damage. The proposed assessment rules were validated by performing comprehensive numerical fatigue analysis. A comparison with samples of published experimental and numerical studies was also completed. It was observed that depending on the direction of the low-frequency vessel excursions, the peak fatigue damage may increase towards the near offsets and decrease towards the far vessel offset. This implied that the case dependency of the trench effect on fatigue response in different geographical locations with various environmental loads was a potential source for the contradictory results reported in previously published studies.     

三种不同管土相互作用模型在触地区立管运动模拟中的比较研究

选择恰当的管土相互作用模型,对于准确描述海洋悬链线立管在触地区的动力响应至关重要。首先总结分析了国内外已有的三类典型管土作用模型,并基于三种模型计算模拟了触地区管道的竖向运动过程,计算结果与试验数据进行了对比验证。选用的三类模型均包括四个管土作用状态,即未接触、初始贯入、上拔和再贯入。研究发现:RQ模型对管道远端管道埋深的预测结果远比试验值小,明显低估了管道的触地区范围;AB模型可以考虑管道的开槽效应,但对于土体强度弱化估算不准,预测的管道埋深远低于试验值;ABY模型能够考虑土体强度的循环弱化,但在模拟管土相互作用时会严重低估土体的强度,预测的管道远端的埋深远大于试验值,这可能导致对管道疲劳寿命的估计错误,需对其进行必要的修正。     

Time domain prediction approach for cross-flow VIV induced fatigue damage of steel catenary riser near touchdown point

Previous steel catenary riser (SCR) models targeted for VIV prediction are truncated at touchdown point (TDP) where simple constrain and rotation stiffness are generally applied. In this study, a time domain approach accounting for the SCR–soil interaction is proposed to predict the cross-flow (CF) VIV induced fatigue damage of a SCR near TDP. The hydrodynamic force is simulated based on the forced vibration test data as a function of the non-dimensional amplitude and frequency, and an empirical damping model. When the non-dimensional frequency associated with the calculated frequency falls in the excitation region, the natural frequency closer to the frequency corresponding to the maximum excitation force is taken to be the dominant frequency, and applied to obtain the excitation force. The SCR–soil interaction model takes into account the trench shape, and the mobilization and release of the soil suction. Fatigue damage is linearly accumulated by using the rain-flow counting methodology. To validate the proposed models, simulation for a riser model test is carried out, and the envelopes of RMS displacement, curvature, and fatigue damage are compared. Further works focus on the sensitivity of VIV induced fatigue damage near TDP to the seabed parameters, such as mudline shear strength, shear strength gradient and soil suction, and some conclusions are obtained.     

Multiaxial fatigue analyses of stress joints for deepwater steel catenary risers

In the present study, the dynamic and fatigue characteristics of two types of stress joints are investigated under ocean environmental condition. Connected with the riser and the platform, stress joint at the vessel hang-off position should be one of the main critical design challenges for a steel catenary riser (SCR) in deepwater. When the riser is under a high pressure and deepwater working condition, the stress state for the joint is more complex, and the fatigue damage is easy to occur at this position. Stress joint discussed in this paper includes two types: Tapered Stress Joint (TSJ) and Sleeved Stress Joint (SSJ), and multiaxial fatigue analysis results are given for comparison. Global dynamic analysis for an SCR is performed first, and then the local boundary conditions obtained from the previous analysis are applied to the stress joint FE model for the later dynamic and multiaxial fatigue analysis. Results indicate that the stress level is far lower than the yield limit of material and the damage induced by fatigue needs more attention. Besides, the damage character of the two types of stress joints differs: for TSJ, the place where the stress joint connects with the riser is easy to occur fatigue damage; for SSJ, the most probable position is at the place where the end of the inner sleeve pipe contacts with the riser body. Compared with SSJ, TSJ shows a higher stress level but better fatigue performance, and it will have a higher material cost. In consideration of various factors, designers should choose the most suitable type and also geometric parameters.     

浮体二阶运动下钢悬链式立管触地区动态响应分析

浮体运动是引起钢悬链式立管(steel catenary riser,简称SCR)动态响应和疲劳损伤的关键因素,目前研究SCR问题时,为简化计算往往仅考虑平台一阶运动,忽略二阶运动影响。而实际上不同浮体结构的二阶运动响应特征明显,拟以SCR服役张力腿平台(tension leg platform,简称TLP)为例,探讨浮体二阶运动对SCR触地区动态响应的影响。建立考虑海床刚度退化的管土作用模型以改进现有的CABLE3D RSI程序,通过编写程序接口,将有限元分析得到的平台实际运动响应导入,研究平台不同运动作用下SCR触地区的位移、动力响应及疲劳分布情况。根据波流作用方向将TLP二阶慢漂运动分为近端和远端漂移两种工况,发现二阶运动下立管与海床的作用范围会增大,且触地区不仅发生高频小幅振荡运动,同时伴随低频大幅运动响应;平台远端漂移时,管内张力敏感程度高,而近端漂移时触地区的弯矩显著增大,都会不同程度提高触地区的疲劳损伤率。研究可为服役不同浮体的SCR响应预测与疲劳分析提供参考和借鉴。     

钢悬链线立管清管过程触底段位移变化规律试验研究

钢悬链线立管（steel catenary riser, 简称SCR）是一种优质的深水开发设备,近几年广泛用于深海环境下油气资源的开采。在浮式平台的周期性升沉运动和海浪海流的载荷作用下,立管的触底区会产生较为严重的疲劳破坏问题。为保证深海立管的高效与安全运行,清管作业是一项必要的维护手段。目前对于清管载荷作用下钢悬链线立管的位移变化规律研究比较匮乏。基于ABAQUS有限元软件和缩比试验准则,设计并开展有关清管载荷作用下钢悬链线立管的位移变化规律的缩比模型试验研究,从清管载荷的大小和作用位置等角度分别研究立管的X向与Y向的位移变化特征。研究结果表明,清管器在立管的触底段中运行并逐渐靠近触底点的过程中,清管器所在立管处的X向与Y向的位移会产生逐渐减小的趋势;当改变清管载荷的大小时,对于立管的同一位置来说,清管载荷的变化会导致立管的X向位移产生较Y向位移更加显著的变化;在清管器通过立管某一位置的前后过程中,X向位移变化呈现先增大后减小的趋势,而Y向位移仅在清管器通过该处时会有明显的减小。     

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.