On the effects of bending stiffness for flexible riser model tests

• Published in: Volume 6A: Pipeline and Riser Technology
• Main Authors: Ruskin, A, Tahana, Z, Chai, S, Balash, C, Morand, H, Izarn, C
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: American Society of Maritime Engineers 2014
• Subjects: Engineering; Maritime Engineering; Ocean Engineering; Arctic
• Online Access: http://www.asmeconferences.org/OMAE2014/index.cfm; https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2014-23423; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/93169

Oil and gas production systems are continually moving intomore challenging environments. Therefore having a preciseunderstanding of the flexible pipeline behaviour for variousconfigurations is becoming even more important. This paperpresents a medium scale test of a flexible riser in a waveconfiguration aiming at representing the bending stiffnesscharacteristic of a flexible riser. Results are then comparedtothose of a dynamic analysis software to validate theexperimental modeling.This paper addresses the problem of scaling a flexible steepwave riser for model tests, where the global bending response isconsidered under quasi-static current loading. A methodologyfor cost-effective and robust model construction is presented,including an effective method of determining the bendingstiffness of the model.A 1/15 scale model of a 8 flexible riser was constructed fromsilicon hose and foam for testing within the AustralianMaritime Colleges Circulating Water Channel (CWC).Variances in the models buoyant section length, system offsetand bending stiffness were tested at different flow velocities toobserve the changes in curvature experienced by the riser. Themodel test regime was formulated specifically to compare theresults of CWC testing with numerical modelling results.Comparison between model test and numerical resultsdemonstrate good agreement.