Dynamic tests in a steel catenary riser reduced scale model

ABSTRACT

Experimental investigations were conducted on a steel catenary riser (SCR) with different stiffness seafloor models both in dry and wet conditions. The motion oscillator and cell load connect the riser model in a tank, and forced motions with different amplitudes and frequencies were studied. Model tests are conducted in air and a small scale factor (1/435) is used. This model has been built having as reference a riser prototype in 900 m water depth and the numerical analysis is carried out in time domain using the developed CABLE3D. Results demonstrate the influence of the platform in-plane motion on the dynamic response of the riser model, and both of them are consistently good. This study provides a novel and simple experimental tool developed for testing of the SCR global dynamic analysis, and discusses the results including motion response, top tension and dynamic curvature near touchdown zone.

KEYWORDS:

• Steel catenary riser
• riser model test
• pipe–soil interaction
• dynamic behaviour
• touchdown point

Acknowledgment

This research was supported by the Nature Science Foundation Program of Zhejiang Province [grant number LZ15E090001], the Chinese Natural Science Foundation Program [grant number 51679217] and by Brazilian Post-doctoral Program via National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). We are grateful to Caio Cesar and O. Trigo for their contribution in the development and execution of the dynamic tests. The authors appreciate Prof. Jun Zhang of Texas A&M University for providing the source code of CABLE3D.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Nature Science Foundation Program of Zhejiang Province [grant number LZ15E090001]; the Chinese Natural Science Foundation Program [grant number 51679217].