Importance of Added Mass for the Interaction Between IL and CF Vibrations of Free Spanning Pipelines

Abstract

The importance of cross-flow (CF) response generated by vortex induced vibrations (VIV) of free spanning pipelines has long been recognised. The significance of in-line (IL) vibrations has recently been understood and hence also been subjected to research. The combined effect of CF and IL vibrations is, however, still not fully described. This paper highlights the CF-IL interaction with focus on the transition zone from pure IL to CF dominated response, giving special attention to how the added mass influences the interaction. Results from extensive flexible beam tests connected to the Ormen Lange (OL) development have been used as a basis for this study. Trajectories for cross sectional motions from the flexible beam test were identified, and then used as forced motions of a large diameter rigid cylinder exposed to uniform flow. Non-dimensional parameters like Reynolds number (Re), amplitude ratio and reduced frequency were identical for the two tests. Hence, forces found from the forced motion test could be used to find hydrodynamic coefficients valid for the flexible beam case. This paper discusses the results from the flexible beam tests with a relatively short length to diameter ratio (L/D) of 145. Modal analyses by Nielsen et al. (2002) show that the first mode dominates in both directions for these particular tests, even though the IL response frequency is twice the CF frequency. In this paper the added mass variations along the OL flexible beam is studied. Forces acting on 4 different cross sections along the beam are measured for 7 different prototype velocities. For each test the hydrodynamic coefficients are calculated, and the results show how the added mass changes along the beam for increasing velocities, and thereby creates resonance for both IL and CF response. The stability of the added mass coefficient throughout the time series is also evaluated.