Three-dimensional trenches induced by lateral riser-soil interaction and their influence on the behavior of SCR

Abstract

Although the lateral oscillation of steel catenary risers (SCRs) contributes to trench production, traditional riser-seabed models cannot simulate the process. This study proposes a modified lateral riser-seabed interaction model and integrates it into the SCR model based on the vector form intrinsic finite element (VFIFE) method to simulate the trench formation process. The effects of the loading history, extra soil berm resistance, and cyclic vertical riser-soil interactions were included in the soil model. A 3D trench could be developed under the cyclic out-of-plane movement of the SCR. The trench formation process, seabed resistance distribution, axial tension, bending moment, and stress range distribution of the SCR were discussed in detail to illustrate the effects of the soil model. Different loading amplitudes and nonlinear soil parameters were chosen to determine their influence on the trench shape and distribution of the horizontal seabed resistance. The developed trenches were then inserted into the fresh SCR model before executing the dynamic analysis, in which only the cyclic heave motion was applied to the hang-off point. The simulation results showed that the trenches produced by cyclic sway motions beneficially influenced the fatigue life of the SCR. However, the effect would differ with the profiles.