Ocean Currents-Induced Pipeline Lateral Stability on Sandy Seabed
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 133, Issue 10
Abstract
Unlike previous mechanical actuator loading methods, in this study, a hydrodynamic loading method was employed in a flow flume for simulating ocean currents induced submarine pipeline stability on a sandy seabed. It has been observed that, in the process of pipeline losing lateral stability in currents, there usually exist three characteristic times: (1) onset of sand scour; (2) slight lateral displacement of pipeline; and (3) breakout of pipeline. An empirical linear relationship is established between the dimensionless submerged weight of pipeline and Froude number for describing pipeline lateral stability in currents, in which the current-pipe-soil coupling effects are reflected. Scale effects are examined with the method of “modeling of models,” and the sand particle size effects on pipeline stability are also discussed. Moreover, the pipeline stability in currents is compared with that in waves, which indicates that the pipeline laid directly upon the sandy seabed is more laterally stable in currents than in waves.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. NNSFC50509022 and NNSFC10532070) and “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. CASKJCX2-YW-L02) is greatly appreciated.
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© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: May 16, 2006
Accepted: Mar 14, 2007
Published online: Oct 1, 2007
Published in print: Oct 2007
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Nikolaos D. Katopodes
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