Mechanics of Pipeline Scour Propagation in the Spanwise Direction
Publication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 141, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the mechanics of pipeline scour propagation in the spanwise direction. The experiments were conducted with uniform sediment under a unidirectional steady current in clear-water conditions. The study aims to provide a better understanding of how the differential pressure between the upstream and the downstream sides of the pipeline and local bed shear stress at the span shoulder affect pipeline scour propagation in the spanwise direction. The measured data show that a high differential pressure significantly enhances pipeline scour hole development in the spanwise direction. Its presence increases the propagation velocity of the scour hole and differentiates the rapid from the slack phase of development identified in previous studies. It may be inferred from the relationship of the propagation velocity on pressure gradient that the two factors, namely, the differential pressure and the local bed shear stress, vary proportionally with the strength of the local flow field. They combine to affect the propagation velocity of the scour hole at submarine pipelines in the spanwise direction.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the support of the DHI-NTU Water & Environment Research Centre and Education Hub. The first author also acknowledges the financial support provided by Nanyang Technological University for his doctoral study.
References
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Information
Published In
Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 141 • Issue 4 • July 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 1, 2013
Accepted: Sep 24, 2014
Published online: Oct 23, 2014
Published in print: Jul 1, 2015
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