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.     

海上浮式风机气动性能数值模拟

采用计算流体动力学(CFD)方法,基于RANS方程和SST k-ω湍流模型,对OC3-Hywind Spar浮式平台支撑的NREL5 MW风机进行气动性能模拟。对固定式风机的数值模型做网格无关性验证,同时考虑垂直风切变的影响,并将数值结果与NREL设计数据进行对比以验证模型的有效性。在FLUENT软件中,设定嵌入式滑移网格和用户定义程序(UDF)来模拟风机叶轮随平台的周期运动,分别研究浮式平台的纵荡、纵摇和首摇运动对风机气动荷载的影响。数值结果表明平台的纵荡和纵摇运动对输出功率影响较大,且平台运动幅值越大周期越低,其气动荷载变化越剧烈。合理控制平台的运动幅值对提高浮式风机的发电性能和疲劳强度有很大作用。