Numerical Simulation of the Submarine Pipeline under Wave Action

Zhi-Yong Zhang,Bing Shi

doi:10.19026/rjaset.6.4012

Abstract

A two-dimensional viscous numerical wave flume is established in this study. The Navier-Stokes equations are discretized by Finite Difference Method (FDM). The turbulence is considered by using the standard k- e turbulence model. Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is adopted to capture the free surface of water wave. A virtual inclined porous structure is devised to absorb the wave energy near the end of computational domain. The numerical wave flume was validated by the comparisons with analytical result. Based on the numerical wave flume, the wave field around submarine pipeline was simulated and the numerical results were compared with experimental data. The comparison results show that the present numerical model works well. The maximum horizontal wave force and vertical wave force increase with the wave height.

Highlights

Submarine pipeline which is used to transport oil or gas from ocean platforms to land is one of the most important parts in offshore oil field exploitation system, with the advantages of continuity, convenience, huge capacity and minimal influenced by the weather
Under the influence of waves, the submarine pipeline suffers the variable wave forces and the stability of pipeline will be destroyed in a long time
In the study of submarine pipeline under wave action, many scholars carried out the physical model experiments and numerical calculations. (Wang et al, 1994) used Finite Difference Method (FDM)-Finite Element Method (FEM) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence model to simulate the oscillating flow around the pipeline near a plane. (Li and Chen, 1996) measured the wave forces on a seabed pipeline through physical model experiments

Summary

Introduction

Submarine pipeline which is used to transport oil or gas from ocean platforms to land is one of the most important parts in offshore oil field exploitation system, with the advantages of continuity, convenience, huge capacity and minimal influenced by the weather. In the study of submarine pipeline under wave action, many scholars carried out the physical model experiments and numerical calculations. (Li and Chen, 1996) measured the wave forces on a seabed pipeline through physical model experiments. Vijaya et al (2005) measured the wave pressure and force caused by random waves on a submarine pipeline.

Results

Conclusion