Guilherme R. Franzini

Experimental Analysis of a Vertical and Flexible Cylinder in Water: Response to Top Motion Excitation and Parametric Resonance

Experiments with a vertical, flexible, and submerged cylinder were carried out to investigate fundamental aspects of risers dynamics subjected to harmonic excitation at the top. The flexible model was designed aiming a high level of dynamic similarity with a real riser. Vertical motion, with amplitude of 1% of the unstretched length, was imposed with a device driven by a servomotor. Responses to distinct exciting frequency ratios were investigated, namely, ft:fN,1 = 1:3; 1:1; 2:1, and 3:1. Cartesian coordinates of 43 monitored points positioned all along the span were experimentally acquired by using an optical tracking system. A simple Galerkins projection applied for modal decomposition, combined with standard Mathieu chart analysis, led to the identification of parametric resonances. A curious finding is that the Mathieu instability may simultaneously occur in more than one mode, leading to interesting dynamic behaviors, also revealed through standard power spectra analysis and displacement scalograms.

Analysis Methodology for Vortex-Induced Motion (VIM) of a Monocolumn Platform Applying the Hilbert–Huang Transform Method

Vortex-induced motion (VIM) is a highly nonlinear dynamic phenomenon. Usual spectral analysis methods, using the Fourier transform, rely on the hypotheses of linear and stationary dynamics. A method to treat nonstationary signals that emerge from nonlinear systems is denoted Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) method. The development of an analysis methodology to study the VIM of a monocolumn production, storage, and offloading system using HHT is presented. The purposes of the present methodology are to improve the statistics analysis of VIM. The results showed to be comparable to results obtained from a traditional analysis (mean of the 10% highest peaks) particularly for the motions in the transverse direction, although the difference between the results from the traditional analysis for the motions in the in-line direction showed a difference of around 25%. The results from the HHT analysis are more reliable than the traditional ones, owing to the larger number of points to calculate the statistics characteristics. These results may be used to design risers and mooring lines, as well as to obtain VIM parameters to calibrate numerical predictions.

Crushing and Wet Collapse of Flowline Carcasses: A Theoretical-Experimental Approach

The present paper brings together theoretical predictions and experimental results, comparing crushing tests results as well as carcass wet collapse tests. The theoretical models are of two kinds: (i) numerical (FE) and (ii) analytical. The first kind is a restricted 3D version of a finite element model. The second kind is based on classic assumptions of equivalent ring behavior. Discussion is made on the real yield stress value to be adopted, as well as on the pertinence of geometric hypotheses. Sensitivity analyses, regarding ovalization and helical pitch are also presented.© 2010 ASME

A MODEL SCALE EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON VORTEX-SELF INDUCED VIBRATIONS (VSIV) OF CATENARY RISERS

Vortex Self-Induced Vibrations (VSIV) of a reduced scale model of a catenary riser are experimentally investigated. The riser model dynamics was assessed with a submerged optical motion capture system and significant VSIV were revealed as result of oscillatory vertical motion imposed to the top. Such a behavior recovers similar ones reported in the technical literature by other authors and resembles previous fundamental studies, by Sumer and Fredsoe, with rigid cylinders forced to oscillate in a plane and elastically mounted in the transversal direction. The present experiments are preliminary and pertain to a much more comprehensive experimental set, within a research project aimed at studying the nonlinear dynamic behavior of risers, through experimentally validated analytical and numerical, nonlinear reduced-order models.Copyright

Experimental Comparisons to Assure the Similarity Between VIM (Vortex-Induced Motion) and VIV (Vortex-Induced Vibration) Phenomena

Vortex-Induced Motion (VIM) is another way to denominate the Vortex-Induced Vibration (VIV) in floating units. The main characteristics of VIM in such structures are the low aspect ratio (L/D < 4.0) and the unity mass ratio (m* = 1.0, i.e. structural mass equal water displacement). The VIM can occur in MPSO (Monocolumn Production, Storage and Offloading System) and spar platforms. These platforms can experience motion amplitudes of around their characteristic diameters. In such cases, the fatigue life of mooring and riser systems can be greatly reduced. Typically, the VIM model testing campaigns are carried out in the Reynolds range between 200,000 and 400,000. VIV model tests with low aspect ratio cylinders (L/D = 1.0, 1.7 and 2.0) and unity mass ratio (m* = 1.0) have been carried out at the Circulating Water Channel facility available at NDF/EPUSP. The Reynolds number range covered in the experiments was between 10,000 and 50,000. The characteristic motions (in the transverse and in-line direction) were obtained using the Hilbert-Huang Transform method (HHT) and then compared with results obtained in experiments found in the literature. The aim of this investigation is to definitely establish the similarity between the VIM and VIV phenomena, making possible to increase the understanding of both and, at same time, allowing some analytical models developed for VIV to be applied to the VIM scenario on spar and monocolumn platforms, logically under some adaption.Copyright

Experimental Study on Flow Around Circular Cylinders With Low Aspect Ratio

Experiments were carried out in a recirculating water channel regarding the flow around stationary circular cylinders with low aspect ratio piercing the water free surface. Eight different aspect ratios were tested, namely L/D = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0; this range corresponds to aspect ratio related to circular offshore systems, such as spar and monocolumn platforms. Force was measured using a six degree-of-freedom load cell and Strouhal number is inferred through the transverse force fluctuation frequency. The range of Reynolds number covers 10,000 < Re < 50,000. PIV measurements were performed in some aspect ratio cases, namely 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 for Reynolds number equal to 43,000. The results showed a decrease in drag force coefficients with decreasing aspect ratio, as well as a decrease in Strouhal number with decreasing aspect ratio. The PIV showed the existence of an arch-type vortex originated in the cylinder free end.Copyright

A Nonlinear Analytical Model for Flexible Pipe Crushing Analysis

This paper discusses a nonlinear analytical model for flexible pipe crushing analysis, improving analytical models previously published in OMAE2003, 2010 and 2011. Following that path, and still based on the concept of equivalent pipes and rings, the present model discusses a strategy to cope with an elastic-to-plastic analysis. Such a model considers the combined action of squeezing and concentrated loads applied as representing those due to the caterpillar shoes. Experimental results and finite element analysis are used to assess the pertinence of analytical modeling hypotheses.Copyright

Crushing of flexible pipes under traction: a theoretical-experimental assessment

The paper presents a theoretical-experimental comparison concerning standard crushing-traction tests of flexible pipe prototypes. The theoretical model for crushing is analytical and based on classic assumptions of equivalent pipes, applying model previously published in OMAE2003, and OMAE2010. Such a model considers the combined action of squeezing, concentrated loads due to the caterpillar shoes as well as the effect of initial ovalization. The experimental measures include a detailed internal geometrical mapping of the deformed carcass, until plastic deformation becomes evident. Discussion is made on the pertinence of modeling hypotheses. Sensitivity analyses, regarding initial ovalization and helical pitch of the pressure armor are also addressed.Copyright

A Finite Element Model for Umbilical Cable Crushing Analysis

Umbilical cables are essential elements of offshore floating production systems. Due to their complexity, the offshore industry regularly counts on numerical tools to perform design assignments. One of these assignments is to evaluate strains and stresses states in all components due to distinct sets of external loads. The main purpose of this paper is to present a numerical model for prediction of the stress and strain fields in the umbilical cable components under crushing loads. Such loads, outcoming from the laying operation, comprise the caterpillar shoes load and the squeezing effects, associated not only to the tensile armours, but also to helical components under tension. The referred model comprises a joint analysis using a two-dimensional Finite Element Method (FEM) fed by an analytical model, which represent three-dimensional effects. A combined analytical-numerical approach is much easier to implement than a complete fully three-dimensional one and it is meant to obtain results efficiently, without the need of a large computational capacity. The paper presents and discuss modeling hypotheses and methodology, describing in which way three-dimensional effects and interactions among cable components were treated. Case studies with three umbilical cables are presented.Copyright

An Experimental Assessment on Umbilical Cable Crushing Using Digital Image Correlation

Focusing on the integrity of umbilical cable components during the laying operation, particularly on hoses integrity, this paper assesses displacement fields on umbilical cable cross-sections by means of a special crushing test setup. Using a high resolution Digital Image Correlation system (DIC), experiments with two umbilical cables are carried out in a 250 kN mechanical tests rig. Besides measuring the components displacements, applied crushing forces and shoes displacements are acquired. The experimental samples are taken from two HCR-hoses umbilical cables, which have been cases of study of a finite element analysis methodology, recently proposed and presented in OMAE2015, [12]. Experimental analysis and a theoretical-experimental correlation are presented, for both umbilical cables.Copyright