Cross-flow VIV mitigation of a near-bottom underwater pipeline using rigid and flexible smart wall-mounted control plates

• Published in: Ocean engineering 2024-06, Vol.301, p.116999, Article 116999
• Main Authors: Hasheminejad, Seyyed M., Naderi, Milad, Masoumi, Yasin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active feedback VIV control; Bimorph piezoelectric flexural-mode actuator; Multi-field flow/structure interaction (FSI) simulations; Seabed local scouring; Submarine pipeline fatigue; Subsea flexible pipeline; Wall-mounted control plate
• ISSN: 0029-8018; 1873-5258
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.116999

A novel Vortex Induced Vibration (VIV) suppression strategy is proposed and numerically applied to a linearly sprung near-bed circular cylindrical submarine pipeline in turbulent cross-flow (Re =104) for a wide band of reduced velocities (2≤U*≤9). The control action is realized by a wall-mounted (rigid or flexible smart) control plate in the leeward side of the cylinder. The flow field is analyzed in a two-way coupled multi-physics simulation framework that collaboratively links a FEM-based nonlinear transient structural solver with a CFD-based finite-volume fluid solver. The two-dimensional incompressible RANS equations combined with k-ω SST turbulence model are adopted to carry out the numerical computations. Four distinct passive control plate configurations (Configs. 2–5) are initially investigated. The key model assumptions and limitations are briefly discussed before proceeding to the detailed numerical simulations. Comprehensive numerical calculations disclose the remarkable effects of incorporating the control plates on the main flow field and structural characteristics. In particular, detailed insights on the hydrodynamic features and effectiveness of the selected passive cylinder VIV control configuration (Config. 3) are briefly discussed based on vivid transient animations of the vorticity, pressure, and velocity streamline fields at the critical VIV lock-in reduced velocity (U*=5). Also, a net 96% reduction obtained in maximum transverse cylinder displacement (Ycyl*max) at the VIV lock-in state is realized that can potentially improve the overall pipeline fatigue life up to 99%. Moreover, the overall VIV suppression performance of the best prospective passive control configuration (Config. 3) is further improved by replacing it with a smart active piezoelectric bimorph flexural-mode control plate (Config. 3s). [Display omitted] •Novel submarine pipeline VIV control configuration with wall-mounted control plates.•Active VIV control in a real-time coupled two-way FSI CFD/CSD simulation framework.•Exceptional VIV suppression performance with improved control time and fatigue life.•Extensive simulations for key structural and flow-field parameters & flow structure.•Pipeline fatigue failure, collision, free spanning & local seabed scouring control.