Improved assessments of wave-induced fatigue for free spanning pipelines

For subsea pipeline projects, the costs related to seabed correction and free span intervention are often considerable. Development of reliable methods for fatigue analyses of pipelines in free spans contributes to minimize costs without compromising pipeline integrity. Assessment of wave-induced fatigue damage on multi-span pipelines is investigated, and improved analysis methods are suggested in this paper. A time-domain (TD) algorithm is developed, which accounts for non-linear hydrodynamic loading and dynamic interaction between adjacent spans. The proposed TD approach is employed to evaluate linearized frequency-domain (FD) solutions from recognized design standards and to study the dynamic response of multi-span pipelines to direct wave loading. Differences between multi- and single-span analyses are described for the first time, and the common assumption that the main fatigue damage contribution comes from the fundamental mode is demonstrated not to hold for multi-spans. An improved FD solution capable of predicting multi-mode response is derived and demonstrated to give accurate fatigue life estimates for multi-span pipelines.     

Submarine debris flow impact on pipelines — Part II: Numerical analysis

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) numerical analysis was employed to analyze the situations tested experimentally, as described in Part I. The methodology and results of the CFD analyses are discussed and compared with the observations made from the experiments. The numerical model performed satisfactorily with regard to obtaining the impact forces exerted on the model pipe as well as simulating the hydroplaning phenomenon and estimating slurry flow heights. The experimental results were combined with the results of the CFD analyses to develop a practical method to compute the drag force caused by a submarine debris flow impact on a pipeline. The CFD analyses provided some insight to the separated region characterization, but the attempt to analyze the vortex shedding phenomenon as observed in the experiments was unsuccessful. Additional studies are required for better understanding of both the separated region characteristics and vortex shedding.     

胍胶隔离技术在海底输油管道上的应用

在海底输油管道修复过程中,为将原油对海洋的污染程度降到最低,保证修复作业的安全和顺利进行,开发应用胍胶隔离技术进行管道油水置换隔离。通过现场调研、实验室配方筛选、理论计算与分析,确定了胍胶隔离技术方案,并在现场顺利实施。结果表明该技术在修复海底管道时可有效地将原油泄露对环境的污染降到最小程度,胍胶段塞在海底管道中的隔离作用是稳定的。     

An improved analytical approach for simulating the lateral kinematic distress of deepwater offshore pipelines

Offshore pipelines are critical infrastructures and any possible damage may have devastating financial and environmental consequences. Earthquake-related geohazards (such as strong ground motion, active seismic faults, submarine landslides and debris flows) consist crucial threats that an offshore pipeline has to overcome. The main aim of the current study is to examine analytically a seabed-laid offshore pipeline subjected to a lateral kinematic distress due to a submarine landslide or a debris flow. Extra emphasis is given on the impact of pipe-soil interaction on the pipe response, by the realistic representation of the soil resistance via a tri-linear model. Firstly, the proposed analytical model is validated with a numerical model utilizing the finite-element method. Subsequently, various combinations of soil parameters and loading conditions that affect the examined problem are investigated with realistic input data taken from the offshore section of the high-pressure natural-gas pipeline TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) in the Adriatic Sea. Finally, useful conclusions are drawn regarding the applicability and the efficiency of the proposed approach.     

海底管道整体式止屈器性能研究与穿越压力预测

整体式止屈器可有效抑制海底管道屈曲传播并避免管道的大规模屈曲失效。为探究整体式止屈器的止屈特性,预测其穿越压力,利用ABAQUS软件建立有限元模型,分析了整体式止屈器厚度、长度、径厚比等参数对穿越压力和穿越形式的影响机制,揭示了整体式止屈器的止屈特性。研究结果表明:在平行穿越阶段,增加止屈器厚度、有效长度可明显提升穿越压力;而在垂直穿越阶段,穿越压力增长速率明显放缓。结合有限元模拟结果,拟合得到了整体式止屈器在不同穿越形式下的穿越压力预测公式,其相较于已有经验公式准确性更高,对整体式止屈器的设计和建造具有重要的指导意义。     

海洋导管架平台抗震可靠性分析方法

以渤海湾的两座典型海洋导管架平台为研究对象,运用非线性逐步破坏分析方法,提出了在环境荷载作用下海洋导管架平台结构抗震可靠性的分析方法,并计算了相应的可靠度.计算与分析结果表明,本例的海洋导管架平台的抗震可靠度较大,即失效概率很小,而且该分析方法是一种较为简单、实用和可靠的分析方法.     

悬跨海底管道疲劳寿命分析研究

海底管道在服役期间由于各种原因会在某些管段形成悬跨。这些悬跨在海流力作用下,将产生涡激振动。这种涡激振动最终可能导致管道疲劳失效。管道在海流力作用下发生的涡激振动是管道振动和漩涡尾流振动耦合的结果。在建立管道振动模型和Matteoluca尾流振子模型基础上,对管道涡激振动动力响应特性进行分析。依据Miner线性损伤累积理论,采用S—N曲线法分析计算管道疲劳寿命。最后,针对海洋油气开发与生产,提出延长海底管道疲劳寿命的方法和措施。     

海洋石油管道单点提升分析

基于管道微单元体平衡建立了海管单点提升的非线性力学模型的控制微分方程组 ,使用变弧长的无量纲代换将动边界问题化为固定边界的两点边值问题 ,利用Maple环境下编制的两点边值问题的打靶法程序得到了该问题在各个提升阶段的数值解答和在单点提升过程中管道的极限弯矩约为 0 .71q1 3(EI) 2 3。     

Free Vibration of Sagging Pipelines in Water

- Studied in this paper is free vibration of a long span pipeline with nonlinearities taken into account. The pipeline sags under gravity and takes the shape of a plane curve. Vibration in the plane and out of the plane is regarded as small motions about the large static deflection. Manifestations of nonlinearities such as amplitude-dependent frequencies and internal resonance are investigated.     

黄河水下三角洲埕岛油田海底管线悬空分析

现代黄河三角洲埕岛油田海底管线的调查发现了许多管线悬空现象。分析表明,悬空主要在3种条件下产生,其中平台周围冲刷坑导致的管线悬空是最主要的。经计算可知,所调查管线的最大允许悬空长度为18．6m,其中有3条管线悬空长度已超过此值,应及时进行治理。     

埕岛油田海底管道悬空治理和检测

埕岛油田位于废弃的黄河水下三角洲前缘,海底地形变化较快,该区域的海底管道悬空现象比较严重。本研究介绍了海底管道悬空的治理措施和检测方法,提出了海底管道悬空治理效果的三种检测方案,并以埕岛油田某输油管道一端的悬空治理效果的检测为例,说明了防冲刷仿生海草防护技术对海底悬空管道有一定的治理效果。     

Reliability assessment of multi-megawatt capacity offshore dynamic positioning systems

A reliable Dynamic Positioning (DP) system is the key requirement for critical offshore activities. This paper presents the quantitative reliability assessment for offshore multi-megawatt capacity electric DP systems based on the present technological maturity and the offshore industry-reported component failure rates. It is identified that the International Maritime Organization defined DP1, DP2 DP3 architectures with fully redundant power generators and electric variable speed thrusters could have mean time to fail periods of 0.3, 2.1 and 2.5 years respectively. In the analyzed DP2 architecture, the power generation cum management system, the computer control cum sensors system and the thruster systems contribute to 17%, 42%, and 41% of the total DP system failures. The results presented could be used for reliability-centered design and maintenance planning of multi megawatt capacity DP systems.     

东方气田海管悬跨段安全评估分析

从工程实际问题出发,利用实际测量资料,通过建立近底床悬跨海管的有限元模型,计算了不同底床形状下海管最大静挠度随海流流速变化的规律,对东方1-1气田某标段海管进行了安全评估．筛选出了危险悬跨段。这一计算结果对海管的防护维护工程实践具有切实的指导意义。     

Fatigue reliability analysis in time domain for inspection strategy of fixed offshore structures

The paper describes a methodology for estimation of reliability of fixed offshore structures with respect to fatigue and extreme stress. The failure criteria for fatigue are formulated using fracture mechanics principle and that for extreme stress using API Code. Advanced Second Moment method is used to find the reliability index. The total life of the structure is divided into a set of stationary sea-states, occurring during storms and described by directional power spectrum. The method has been illustrated through application to a typical jacket platform. Usefulness of the methodology for planning in-service inspections has been highlighted.     

GMDH-GEP to predict free span expansion rates below pipelines under waves

ABSTRACT

In this research, group method of data handling (GMDH) as a one of the self-organized approaches is utilized to predict three-dimensional free span expansion rates around pipeline due to waves. The GMDH network is developed using gene-expression programming (GEP) algorithm. In this way, GEP was performed in each neuron of GMDH instead of polynomial quadratic neuron. Effective parameters on the three-dimensional scour rates include sediment size, pipeline geometry, and wave characteristics upstream of pipeline. Four-dimensionless parameters are considered as input variables by means of dimensional analysis technique. Furthermore, scour rates along the pipeline, vertical scour rate, and additionally scour rates in the left and right of pipeline are determined as output parameters. Results of the proposed GMDH-GEP models for the training stages and testing ones are evaluated using various statistical indices. Performances of the GMDH-GEP models are compared with artificial neural network (ANN), GEP, GMDH, and traditional equations-based regression models. Moreover, sensitivity analysis and parametric study are conducted to perceive influences of different input parameters on the three-dimensional scour rates.     

Undrained stability analysis of trenches for buried submarine pipelines

Abstract

The stability of trenches for buried submarine pipelines (TBSPs) during excavation and/or prior to backfilling has not received enough attention in the literature. In this study, the undrained stability of TBSPs in horizontal and inclined seabeds with shear strengths increasing linearly with depth is investigated using the lower and upper bound finite element limit analysis (FELA). The surcharge due to excavated soils and trenching machines is reasonably considered. Extensive parametric studies are performed on the trench slope angle β, normalized width of trenching machine L/H, dimensionless strength gradient Hk/s_u0 and the volume ratio R (for inclined seabed only) of the excavated soil stacked on the upside and downside of trenches. The actual results are accurately bracketed by the computed upper and lower bound solutions. For the trench with horizontal seabeds, the maximum stability can be obtained under β?=?70°–80°. For inclined seabeds, the global stability of TBSPs roughly reaches peak value for different combinations of L/H and β when R?=?0.15–0.3.     

Uncertainty analysis of soil-pile interactions of monopile offshore wind turbine support structures

The objective of this work is to study the uncertainties involved in the modelling of the soil-pile interaction concerning their influence on the prediction of the dynamic structural response of monopile offshore wind turbine support structures. Two main issues are identified and addressed: the adequacy of the method used to deal with the soil-pile interactions and the adequacy of the soil properties reflecting the behaviour of the soil. The present study develops an approach that defines the penetrated pile length depending on the soil profile. Also, a parameter is defined to avoid the excessive usage of steel for the penetrated pile structure. The uncertainties are included in the probabilistic free vibration analysis and the contribution of each random variable to the scatter of the response is estimated by performing a sensitivity analysis. The results indicate that the uncertainty involved in the modelling of the soil profile has a significant effect on the coefficient of variance of the natural frequency, which is a serious issue to be considered in the fatigue life assessment of offshore wind turbine support structures.     

The formation of offshore ripples in the zone under irregular waves

In this article, results obtained from an experimental investigation conducted to determine the wave-induced geometric characteristics of offshore ripples and bars are presented. The experiments were performed using irregular waves. Natural beach sand was used in the study, where the mean diameter was 0.35 mm and the specific gravity was 2.63. The initial slope of the beach was 1:5. Different wave groups were generated over the initially flat beach, and a number of characteristics were determined. These include the ripple number, individual and average ripple heights, individual and average ripple lengths and the length of the offshore bar. The results of the experimental study were evaluated and empirical expressions based on the results were formulated.     

Construction of a pile-based offshore airport

The feasibility of construction of a pile-based offshore airport in open sea is considered. The concept of a pile-based airport relies on technology used to construct long concrete bridges, over sea arms and straits, during the last four decades. The features of four major bridges, in conjunction with prefabrication of prestressed structural elements, are described. The airport platform, which is set 16 m above sea level, obviates the need for protective embankments. The platform consists of modular units, supported by piers, which are based on foundations of steel piles. The modular units comprise tube girders, 35–60 m long, set on piers 15 m apart. Longer girder spans are expected to diminish the impact of the airport on the coast. Cost estimates are provided for a pile-based offshore airport serving medium haul aircraft, using 45×15 m² and 60×15 m² grids, and long haul aircraft, using 60×15 m² grids. Cost comparison with a fill island airport is provided using two different geometries. It is shown that the pile-based airport is a viable option, both technologically and economically. This new concept provides advantages over the fill island option regarding the requirement of materials, technology of construction, the modular approach and the diminished environmental impact.     

考虑海床变形的裸露悬跨海底管道静力分析

针对裸露悬跨海底管道,考虑线弹性海床刚度,利用梁的小挠度理论,研究管道在自重作用下的变形和内力,推导给出了未脱离海床的管道段和悬跨管道段的变形和内力公式。在跨度较大的悬跨情况下,悬跨管道段较大的向下弯曲变形可能引起海床上管道脱离海床而翘起。建立管道翘起的判定准则,对于翘起情况推导相应的计算公式,通过算例给出翘起情况下管道的变形和内力。通过计算分析发现:工程上多数悬跨是翘起情况,没有翘起的计算公式只适应于跨度较小的悬跨管道。同时翘起情况下不同海床刚度对悬跨管道无量纲内力影响不大。