The Effect of Shifting Natural Frequency on the Reduction of Vortex-Induced Vibrations of Marine Risers

Article History: Received: 30 Apr. 2016 Accepted: 9 Mar. 2017 Many procedures suggest for reduction of responses of riser to Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV). Natural frequencies of marine risers is an important parameter that can affect the responses of riser to VIV. Change of riser properties such as top tension and bending stiffness can alter natural frequencies. In this study effects of riser specifications on the responses and fatigue damage of marine risers were investigated analytically and numerically. For numerically analysis 2D wake-structure coupled model is used for modeling of VIV of riser in two directions of Cross Flow (CF) and In Line (IL). The wake dynamics, including IL and CF vibrations, is represented using a pair of non-linear Van der Pol equations that solved using modified Euler method. The Palmgren–Miner Rule is used for evaluation of fatigue damage. Riser of Amir-Kabir semisubmersible placed in Caspian sea is used for case study. Because VIV is self-limiting, it is showed that lower modes have lower curvature, that in some cases this is lead to lesser stress and also fatigue damage. The results show that for tension dominant modes of vibration, natural frequencies was increased with top tension and for a certain Strouhal frequency, dominant modes of vibration was reduced which leads to reduction of stress and fatigue damage. The results show that stress and fatigue damage increased with module of elasticity of riser and reduction of this leads to reducing of stress and fatigue damage. Therefore suitable procedure for reduction of VIV responses of riser should be selected based on the current velocity.