Wave force reduction due to burial of submarine pipeline: A probability based analysis and comparison with DNVGL-RP-F109

• Published in: Ocean engineering 2022-03, Vol.247, p.110786, Article 110786
• Main Authors: Neelamani, S., Al-Khaldi, M.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Burial; DNVGL-RP-F109; Hydraulic conductivity; Porosity; Probability of exceedance and non-exceedance; Random waves; Soil; Submarine pipeline; Wave forces
• ISSN: 0029-8018; 1873-5258
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.110786

Horizontal and vertical wave forces were assessed on submarine pipeline for different burial depths in soils of four different hydraulic conductivity in random waves of wide range of wave height and periods. Probability analysis is carried out for 99.99% and 98% probability of non-exceedance of vertical and horizontal wave forces on the pipeline. The force reduction due to burial of the pipelines are compared with the recommendations by DNVGL-RP-F109. The effect of changing the wave height, wave period and hydraulic conductivity on the wave forces and its change due to different burial depths are revealed. The wave force values and the quantitative differences due to 99.99% and 98% probability of non-exceedance can be used for risk-based design of buried pipelines. The recommended value of wave force reduction factor for different relative burial depth of the pipeline by DNVGL-RP-F109 is much smaller than the value of wave force reduction factor from the present study. Strong scope exists to revise this code for the betterment of submarine pipeline design engineers. The knowhow revealed in this study will be useful for optimal design of buried submarine pipelines. •Horizontal and vertical wave forces were assessed on submarine pipeline for different burial depths in soils of four different hydraulic conductivity in random waves•The wave force value for 99.99% and 98% probability of non-exceedance are estimated for risk based design applications•The values of wave force reduction factors suggested by DNVGL-RP-F109 is much smaller than the values from the present study.•The hydraulic conductivity of the soil strongly affects the wave force reduction of the buried pipeline.•It is strongly recommended to revise the DNVGL-RP-F109 code for wave force reduction factor on the buried pipeline.