CHAPTER 13

PIPELINE HYDRODYNAMICS

13.1 Introduction
The stability requires that the pipeline should not move from its installed position. The
movement may be caused by forces, which could be natural or artificial, like
environmental forces and man made changes in the environment.

The pipeline can be fixed at its position by, Anchors, Gravel sand bags / concrete bags,
providing higher conc. coating or wall thickness. If the pipeline is subjected to high
wave, current loads, lengthwise soil sliding, earthquakes and faults and if it is hazard to
navigation then it is better that it is buried below the sea bed.

Conc.

Fig.13.1 Pipe cross section

13.2 Hydrodynamic loading

One of the common exercises in pipeline design involves determination of minimum pipe
weight for stability.
F

W
FD
+
FI
y
x
F
N R
Fig. 13.2 Forces over a pipe cross section

13-1
F
x =0 FD + FI Fr + W sin = 0 (12.1)

F
y =0 N + FL W cos =0 (12.2)

Since Fr = N, ( = 0.3 for clay and 0.7 for gravel)

Fr
from (12.2) + FL = W cos

Fr + FL = W cos

from (12.1) FD + FI + FL W cos + W sin = 0

FD + FI + FL = W(-sin + cos )

FD + FI + FL
W= (12.3)
sin + cos

IF = 0; MINIMUM SUBMERGED WEIGHT OF

PIPE FOR STABILITY,

FD + FI + FL
W=

1
Or W = FL+ (FD + FI) (12.4)

note: FI =0, if FD is maximum.

Use of effective Velocity, ue:

z
u

generally 1m

Fig.13.3 Variation of horizontal velocity

13-2
 In actual,
Pipeheight
1
FD =
z =0
2
C D D u 2 ( z ) dz

1
In practice, FD = C D D u e2 (12.5)
2

To obtain ue:
1
u( z) z 7
Within the boundary layer =
u (1) 1

(Assuming 1 m boundary layer)

1 D
Approximately, u e2 =
D
z =0
u 2(z) dz
(over pipe height)

Substituting u(z) from (1),

D
u e2 = 0.778 u 2 (1) ( ) 0.286 (12.6)
1

Where u(1) = maximum water particle velocity given by wave theory

at 1 m above sea bed

Similarly,
D 2
F I = CM u& e
4
Where u& e = horizontal particle acceleration at 1 m above sea bed

AND ,
1
FL = C 2 u e2
2
(12.7)

13-3
Recommendation to obtain CD and CM from given Re values:

Re CD CL CM

< 50,000 1.3 1.5 2.0

50,000 100,000 1.2 1.0 2.0
Re Re
100,000 250,000 1.53 - 1.2 - 2.0
300,000 500,000
Re
250,000 500,000 0.7 0.7 2.5 -
500,000
500,000 > 0.7 0.7 1.5

Example:
Deep water Hs = 3.315 m = 0.5
Ts = 9.8 sec =10.06 KN
m3
d = 30.49 m = 0.33 x 10 5 m2
sec
D=1m
=0 Determine submerged
Assume no refraction wt of the pipe

2
Soln : Lo = T
(2 )
= 1.5613 (9.8) = 149.95 m

d/Lo = 30.49 = 0.2033 d = 0.225

149.95 L
H
= 0.92
Ho
L = 30.49 = 135.51 m
0.225
H = 3.315 (0.92) = 3.05 m

H g T cos h k (d + z )
u= . cos (-t)
2L cos h kd

@ 1 m above sea bed

2
cos h (1)
3.05 (9.81) (9.8) 135.51
umax =
2 (135.51) 2
cos h 30.49
135.51
= 0.4975 m/s

13-4
 u e2 = 0.778 u2(1) (D/1)0.286

1
[
ue = 0.778(0.4975) 2 ]2
= 0.4388 m/s

Re = ue D

= 0.4388 (1) / 0.33 x 10-5 = 133000

CM = 2 ; CD = 1.53 [133000 / 300000] = 1.09

CL = 1.2 [133000 / 500000] = 0.934

1
FD = CD D u e2
2

1 10.06
= (1.09) (1) 0.4388 2 = 0.1076 kN
2 9 m

1
FL = CL D u e2
2

1 10.06
1 (0.4388) = 0.0922 kN m
2
= 0.934
2 9

1
W = FL + (FD + FI)

1
= 0.0922 + (0.1076) = 0.3074 kN
0 .5 m

= 31.34 kg
m

Safety against vortex induced vibrations

Example:
Given, pipe diameter, = 0.324 m

wall thickness, t = 0.0127 m

pipe span, L = 30.488 m (s.s.)

13-5
 flow velocity V = 0.61 m / sec

kg
seawater = 1030 kg 3 E = 2.09 x 1011 N 2 ; steel = 7830
m m m3

Will there be vortex induced vibrations?

Soln : For cross vibrations, e < 0.7 n

SV
e =
D

= 0.2 (0.61) / 0.324 = 0.38 Hz

C EI
n =
L2 M
C = 1.57
4 4
I = -
64 outer 64 inner

= 0.324 4 - 0.2986 4 = 0.00015048 m4
64 64

E I = 2.09 x 11 11 x 0.00015048 = 3.14 x 107 Nm2

M= actual mass +added mass

in air

= [ 2out 2in ] 1 + 1 (displaced assume mass)

steel
4

= (1830) 4 (0.3242 0.29842) + 1030 4 (0.324)2

= 97.985 + 84.921 = 182.91 kg/m

1.57 3.14 x 10 7
n = = = 0.7
30.488 2 182.91

SINCE e = 0.38 Hz < 0.7 n

< 0.7 (0.7)
< 0.49 Hz

PIPE IS SAFE AGAINST VORTEX EXCITATIONS

13-6