Nonlinear Static Finite Element Stress Analysis of Pipe-in-Pipe Risers

Owing to the complexity of the pipe-in-pipe (PIP) riser system in structure, load and restraint, many problems arise in the structural analysis of the system. This paper presents a new method for nonlinear static finite element stress analysis of the PIP riser system. The finite element (FE) model of the PIP riser system is built via software AutoPIPE 6.1. According to the specialties of a variety of components in the PIP riser system, different elements are used so as to model the system accurately. Allowing for the complication in modeling the effects of seabed restraint, a technique based on the bilinear spring concept is developed to calculate the soil properties. Then, based on a pipeline project, the entire procedure of stress analysis is discussed in detail, including creation of an FE model, processing of input data and analysis of results. A wide range of loading schemes is investigated to ascertain that the stresses remain within the acceptable range of the pipe material strength. Finally, the effects of the location of flanges, the thermal expansion of submarine pipelines and the seabed restraint on stress distribution in the riser and expansion loop are studied, which are valuable for pipeline designers.     

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.     

Marine riser emergency disconnection analysis using scalar elements for tensioner modelling

This work proposes nonlinear parallel spring-damper scalar elements in series with a rigid beam element to represent drilling riser tensioner behavior during an emergency disconnection scenario in global riser analysis. The software package used was Orcaflex. This is a simpler approach than the more complex, full hydraulic-pneumatic-mechanic dynamic simulation modelling of the tensioning system, commonly used in literature, which can be time consuming and numerically more sensitive. The model can also be used to represent top tension variation in global riser analysis, allowing for more complex and precise simulations, especially for fatigue life and overpull estimations. The results show adequate agreement with the researched bibliography.     

Experimental investigation of the effects of the coverage of helical strakes on the vortex-induced vibration response of a flexible riser

The effects of different helical strake coverage on the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a model flexible riser were studied experimentally, with the aim of further improving the understanding of VIV responses. Uniform and linearly sheared currents were simulated to study response parameters such as non-dimensional displacement, fatigue damage, suppression efficiency, and the comprehensive evaluation is further studied. Test results of the bare model for a uniform current showed that the behavior of both the standing wave and traveling wave dominated VIV displacement. However, for a linearly sheared current, traveling wave behavior dominated VIV displacement in the high-velocity range. The results of the straked model tests indicated that the response was strongly dependent upon the amount of coverage of helical strakes. The flexible riser with 75% strake coverage gave the best comprehensive evaluation in a uniform current, and 50% strake coverage gave the best comprehensive evaluation in a linearly sheared current.     

半潜平台浮子式系泊系统参数优化研究

通过在系泊缆中设置浮子可以改善系泊系统性能,降低平台运动响应。建立浮子式系泊系统的数值计算模型,验证浮子式系泊系统数值计算方法,详细分析浮子设计参数(设置位置和净浮力大小)变化对系泊缆张力特性与平台运动的影响规律,并根据得到的规律选择了优化的浮子系泊系统方案。最后对优化方案进行评估,表明优化方案可以显著降低系泊中的平台水平运动,尤其是低频运动,同时系泊缆张力变化不大,仍满足安全要求。研究结果可为今后浮子式系泊系统设计提供参考。     

流速分布及锚链自身刚度对弹性单锚链系统变形和受力的影响

在锚链系统中,锚链本身的刚度和水流对其作用是影响锚链变形和受力的主要因素。应用分段外推的数值方法,分别对不同刚度和同一弹性锚链在均匀流作用以及同一弹性锚链在不同流速分布(流速在水深方向呈抛物线分布、对数分布)的水流作用下的变形和受力进行了分析和计算,得出了锚链自身的不同刚度及不同流速对锚链的变形及受力的影响情况。结果表明,刚度对锚链受力及变形影响明显,不同流速分布对锚链的偏移量几乎无影响,但对锚链的受力影响较大,选取抛物线型流速分布对锚链安全有利。     

风机基础TLP平台在波浪中运动性能的CFD数值分析

随着海上风能的开发向深水发展,支撑风机的载体平台越来越受到关注。在经济性与安全性、稳定性的多重要求下,张力腿平台（TLP）在海洋风能资源的开发中体现出了重要地位。采用基于开源平台OpenFOAM开发的计算流体动力学（CFD）水动力学求解器naoe-FOAM-SJTU对一座处于中等水深下的风机基础水下TLP（STLP）的运动响应进行了数值模拟与研究。文中使用弹簧锚链模型模拟STLP的垂向系泊锁链系统,模拟该平台在不同波浪环境下的运动响应情况。首先将STLP单自由度自由衰减CFD模拟结果与已有全耦合时域分析结果进行对比,验证了naoe-FOAM-SJTU求解器及使用弹簧模型模拟STLP系泊系统的准确性与可靠性。随后在考虑非线性波浪载荷的情况下研究极端海况下与一般作业海况下STLP的运动响应情况,计算工况中的风机基础所受弯矩及锚链受力情况,并详细展示流场、速度场信息,分析高阶波浪成分、不同海况等条件对于STLP运动性能的影响。研究结果表明,TLP在中等水深中具有良好的运动性能,naoe-FOAM-SJTU求解器可以有效模拟水中生产平台在波浪环境下的水动力问题,并可以对整个流场进行可视化展示与分析。     

圆筒型FPSO优化设计与水动力性能分析

针对圆筒型海上储油装置FPSO垂荡运动性能较差、无法安装干式井口的问题,设计了带延伸筒体与矩形阻尼结构的圆筒型FPSO,根据延伸筒体与矩形阻尼结构是否通海分为两种型式。建立水动力计算模型,比较分析不同延伸筒体和阻尼结构型式对FPSO水动力性能的影响。针对南海作业海域,设计了悬链式系泊系统,基于JONSWAP波浪谱对FPSO的运动进行时域预报,并对系泊系统进行校核。分析结果表明:通海型FPSO垂荡固有周期显著提升,可以错开南海百年一遇谱峰周期,通海型FPSO满足钻井、安装干式井口的运动响应要求,系泊系统系缆张力满足规范要求。     

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。     

波浪能发电平台系泊系统耦合动力响应及水动力分析

本文以一种新型波浪能发电平台为研究对象,分别采用基于三维势流理论的软件Sesam和基于有限体积法的Flow3D软件,对平台和发电浮子进行水动力分析。应用Sesam-HydroD模块计算了平台和发电浮子在频域内的运动响应,将平台和发电浮子的垂荡运动响应进行对比分析,结果表明,在正常海况下,平台与发电浮子垂荡运动相对幅值满足捕能系统的发电需求。应用Flow3D软件对平台整体进行水动力分析,结果表明,平台与发电浮子相对运动振幅在0.3～0.4m间,可满足发电需求。在此基础之上,应用Orcaflex软件,通过时域耦合动力分析的方法,计算了平台在自存工况和作业工况下的运动响应和系泊缆动张力响应,结果表明:在自存工况下,平台锚泊线的安全系数符合规范要求,平台具有良好的安全性能,能够适应恶劣的海洋环境;在作业工况下,平台的垂荡运动响应对波浪方向变化并不敏感,捕能系统不受波浪方向变化的影响,满足发电需求。另外,本文的研究结果能为类似的海洋平台的研究提供建议和参考。