Experimental investigation on the suppression of vortex-induced vibration of two interfering risers by control rods

ABSTRACT

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) is a common flow–structure interaction phenomenon which occurs when a cylindrical riser in a fluid flow causes an unsteady flow pattern due to vortex shedding. The vibration mechanism is further complicated by wake interference. An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effectiveness of multiple control rods, in different configurations around two risers in suppressing wake interference and riser VIV. Strain responses were measured in the cross-flow and in-line directions. The test results showed a significant reduction in VIV, indicating that the control rods effectively suppressed transverse vibration of the riser. It was found that four control rods suppressed transverse VIV up to 90% more effectively than three control rods. The control rods also mitigated the in-line response.

KEYWORDS:

• Vortex-induced vibration
• control rods
• wake interference
• VIV suppression

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 51309241], [grant number 51579245]. The authors gratefully acknowledge their financial support.