Study on the parameters of detached splitter plate for VIV suppression

Abstract

Cylindrical structures such as offshore risers and offshore platform legs will suffer fatigue damage due to Vortex-induced Vibration (VIV). It is necessary to study the suppression scheme of cylindrical VIV. The rigid splitter plate has the characteristics of simple structure, low maintenance cost, and no external energy. Therefore, it becomes one of the suitable VIV suppression schemes. Based on numerical simulations, the design of a downstream detached splitter plate is investigated at a fixed flow rate. The suppression effects of 3 main parameters, distribution gap, splitter plate width and splitter plate length, are analysed. The study found that there is an obvious effective action interval for the distribution gap. The splitter plate provides better suppression when the gap is within this interval. In addition, the length of the splitter plate is the most significant parameter for the suppression effect. When the length is too small, the vibration response of the cylinder will be further aggravated. As the length continues to increase, so does the overall suppression effect of the splitter plate. Therefore, when the 3 parameters are properly combined and the length is as long as possible within the feasible range, the splitter plate can achieve a significant suppression effect.