On the force distribution along the axis of a flexible circular cylinder undergoing multi-mode vortex-induced vibrations

• Published in: Journal of fluids and structures 2006-08, Vol.22 (6), p.897-903
• Main Authors: Huera Huarte, F.J., Bearman, P.W., Chaplin, J.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Characteristics of producing layers. Reservoir geology. In situ fluids; Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; Crude oil, natural gas, oil shales producing equipements and methods; Cylinder; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Finite element method; Fluid dynamics; Fluid loading on risers; Fuels; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Marine risers; Multi-mode response; Physics; Prospecting and production of crude oil, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands; Rotational flow and vorticity; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Vibration, mechanical wave, dynamic stability (aeroelasticity, vibration control...); Vortex shedding; Vortex-induced vibration
• ISSN: 0889-9746; 1095-8622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2006.04.014

One of the main problems in predicting the response of flexible structures subjected to vortex shedding is that a totally reliable model for the fluid loading does not exist. It is also very difficult to measure the distributed force exerted by the fluid along the length of a marine riser without disturbing the system in some way. The methodology described here uses experimental response data obtained in a test programme undertaken in the Delta Flume in Holland during May 2003, linked to a finite element method model (FEM) of the riser. The length-to-diameter ratio of the model used was around 470, the mass ratio (mass/displaced mass) was 3 and the Reynolds number varied between 2800 and 28 000. By using the response data as the input to the numerical model, the instantaneous distributed in-line and transverse forces acting on a flexible cylinder can be studied.