Keith R. Ptak

Implementation of Tuned Vibration Absorbers for Above Ground Pipeline Vibration Control

An overview of recent developments of tuned vibration absorbers (TVAs) for vibration suppression is presented. The paper summarizes some popular theory for analysis and optimal tuning of these devices, discusses various design configurations, and reviews the recent application of TVAs to control wind-induced oscillations of pipelines above the Arctic Circle. Although the wind-induced pipeline vibrations are relatively small, the accumulation of vibration cycles can cause fatigue at pipeline joints. The TVAs used in this application have reduced the RMS displacements of the pipeline by as much as a factor of seven. Additionally, the paper introduces a new overhead TVA installation on the pipeline for accommodating environmental considerations.