Abstract
Vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) model tests were carried out by Shell on a 38 m flexible pipe at the MARINTEK Ocean Basin in March 2011, Trondheim. As part of the model test campaign, the pipe with short fairings under two different torsional friction conditions between riser and fairings was tested in uniform currents. Test with ‘high’ friction show small responses, tests with ‘low’ friction show distinct large responses, even though, the spectra analysis shows that the responses seem to be dominated by vortex induced forces.
Decay tests were carried out on a riser section with fairings to further investigate the torsional friction effect. Friction coefficients were calculated by ‘Coulomb damping model’, which is proved to be a suitable model for fairing-riser friction. The friction coefficients could be directly used to determine the damping ratio and implemented in numerical models. Such decay tests are especially useful to design, manufacture and install fairings in order to achieve a proper friction level and avoid unstable responses such as galloping.
Decay tests were carried out on a riser section with fairings to further investigate the torsional friction effect. Friction coefficients were calculated by ‘Coulomb damping model’, which is proved to be a suitable model for fairing-riser friction. The friction coefficients could be directly used to determine the damping ratio and implemented in numerical models. Such decay tests are especially useful to design, manufacture and install fairings in order to achieve a proper friction level and avoid unstable responses such as galloping.