Numerical simulation on the forced oscillation of rigid riser with helical strakes in different section shapes

Abstract

In order to study the helical strakes' suppression effects on the vibration riser, triangle and circular sections helical strakes are proposed. With the technology of dynamic mesh, forced oscillation in steady flow of the riser with helical strakes in different cross-section shapes at low Reynolds number are numerically simulated. The analysis is focused on the lock-in range, as well as the force status and trailing vortex structure under different values of amplitude (A) and oscillation frequency (fe), and draw comparisons to the bare riser's results. Research shows the lock-in range will increase with the increase of amplitude ratio (A/D), the riser with all three different shaped helical strakes have larger lock-in range than bare riser. Before entering into the lock-in region, riser with different shaped helical strakes all have good effects on suppressing the vibrations of riser. Within and after lock-in region, riser with triangle and circular sections helical strakes have smaller lift force than that with rectangular section, which reduced lift coefficient by 65.83% and 83.53%. The trailing vortex structures of the riser with helical strakes are in strength three-dimensional character. Inside the lock-in region, riser with triangle and circular sections have better suppression effect than that with rectangular section. Outside the lock-in region, riser with triangle section helical strakes has the best vortex suppression effect, of which the influence on the flow field is greatest and the vortex-induced force is least.