Riser-soil interaction model effects on the dynamic behavior of a steel catenary riser

Abstract

A mathematical model employed to analyze the global dynamics of a Steel Catenary Riser (SCR) taking into account the interaction with the seafloor and the effect of the soil reaction forces is established. The choice of soil model plays an important role for the dynamic behavior of SCRs. The riser has been modeled using flexible beam with large curvature and elastic foundation beam to describe the riser-soil interaction by means of realistic nonlinear load-deflection (P–y) curves. The study is made to improve an existing finite element numerical code for dynamic analysis of mooring lines and risers, known as CABLE 3D, which is based on a slender rod assumption. Effects of nonlinear seabed model on the dynamic behavior of SCRs under vessel cyclic perturbation have further been investigated and discussed using a realistic P–y curve to simulate soil deformation and resistance forces. The interaction model depends on several factors, such as soil strength, penetration depth and riser characteristics. The dynamic responses of the riser Touchdown Point (TDP) excited by vessel periodic heave motion are studied and the results are compared with those from the linear spring model. SCR has been perturbed by 10 regular sinusoidal cycles and the responses calculated by improved code show a number of features such as suction force mobilization, gradual increasing penetration depth, and gradual reduction of soil resistance at maximum penetration. The riser behavior at the touchdown zone (TDZ) depends on the riser top motion amplitude, nonlinear soil stiffness and suction force. The impact of the riser-soil interaction model on the dynamic behavior in the TDZ has been thoroughly studied in this paper.