CFD Simulations of the Vortex-Induced Vibrations of Model Riser Pipes

The paper reports results from two strip theory CFD investigations of the Vortex-Induced Vibrations of model riser pipes. The first investigation is concerned with the vibrations of a vertical riser pipe that was subjected to a stepped current profile. An axial spatial resolution study was conducted to determine the number of simulation planes required to achieve tolerably converged numerical solutions. It was found that six to seven simulation planes are required per half-wavelength of pipe vibration in order to obtain convergence. The second investigation is concerned with the simultaneous in-plane and out-of-plane vibrations of a model Steel Catenary Riser that was subjected to a uniform current profile. The pipe’s simulated vibrations were found to agree very well with those determined experimentally. This result was achieved despite the questionable usage of simulation planes at high angles to the flow direction.