Vortex-induced Vibration Experiments Research Articles

Effect of internal flow on vortex-induced vibration of risers

Although there are many studies dedicated to the problem of vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of marine risers, VIV experiments with internally flowing fluid have not been carried out before. In order to investigate this area, the present experiment with an internally flowing fluid and external current was designed. The riser was towed in the water flume with varying internal flow speeds. The tests in still water and in a current were conducted successfully. Various measurements were obtained including the frequency responses and the time-domain tracing of in-line and cross-flow responses. The experimental results exhibit several valuable features. First, with an increase in internal flow speed, the response amplitude increases while the vibration frequency decreases. Secondly, internally flowing fluid lessens the correlation of the vibration between different sections. In addition, by plotting both in-line strain and cross-flow strain simultaneously, a figure-of-eight for bending strain is also observed, and the trajectories in different cycles are more concordant with the increase of internal flow speed.

Reduction of VIV using suppression devices—An empirical approach

Helical strakes are known to reduce and even eliminate the oscillation amplitude of vortex-induced vibrations (VIV). This reduction will increase the fatigue life. The optimum length and position of the helical strakes for a given riser will vary with the current profile. The purpose of the present paper is to describe how data from VIV experiments with suppressing devices like fairings and strakes can be implemented into a theoretical VIV model. The computer program is based on an empirical model for calculation of VIV. Suppression devices can be accounted for by using user-defined data for hydrodynamic coefficients, i.e. lift and damping coefficients, for the selected segments. The effect of strakes on fatigue damage due to cross flow VIV is illustrated for a vertical riser exposed to sheared and uniform current. Comparison of measured and calculated fatigue life is performed for a model riser equipped with helical strakes. A systematic study of length of a section with strakes for a set of current profiles is done and the results are also presented.