Response prediction of long flexible risers subject to forced harmonic vibration

Several research efforts have been directed toward the development of models for response prediction of flexible risers. The main difficulties arise from the fact that the dynamic response of flexible risers involves highly nonlinear behavior and a self-regulated process. This article presents a quasi-steady approach for response prediction of oscillating flexible risers. Amplitude-dependent lift coefficients are considered, as is an increased mean drag coefficient model during synchronization events. Experimental validation of the proposed model was carried out using a 20-m riser model excited by forced harmonic vibration at its top end. Large variations in the hydrodynamic force coefficients, a low mass ratio value, and synchronization events are the main features of the model presented in this article. Experimental validation was provided for the asymmetric, transverse, diagonal, and third vortex regimes.     

Analysis of the slowly varying drift force on a very large floating structure in multidirectional random seas

In designing the mooring system of a very large floating structure (VLFS), it is essential to estimate the slowly varying drift force in random seas. For a small vessel, Hsu's method or Newman's approximation may be used to simulate this slowly varying drift force. However, based on experiments and/or field observations, it was found that the slowly varying drift force acting on a VLFS could be reduced to a great extent from the simulated values based on those methods. Thus, the conventional methods are not applicable for a VLFS. This discovery led to the development of several methods for estimating the slowly varying drift force on a VLFS, e.g., Namba et al. (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 186:235–242, 1999), and Shimada and Maruyama (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 190:347–351, 2001). However, Namba's method is only applicable to a pontoon-type VLFS with a shallow draft, and Shimada's method is too simplified to account for the general shape of a VLFS and elastic deformation. These methods have been expanded in this article, and by our proposed method, any shape of VLFS and the effect of elastic deformation of the VLFS can be included. Formulations and several numerical examples are given.     

Effect of microbubbles on the structure of turbulence in a turbulent boundary layer

The time-averaged velocity and turbulence intensity distributions were measured by a laser Doppler velocimeter in a turbulent boundary layer filled with microbubbles. The void fraction distribution was also measured using a fiber-optic probe. The velocity decreased in the region below 100 wall units with an increase in bubble density. This led to a decrease in the velocity gradient at the wall, which was consistent with a decrease in shearing stress on the wall. The turbulence intensity in the buffer layer increased at a low microbubble density, and then began to decrease with an increasing microbubble density. Based on the present measurements, the mechanism of turbulence reduction by microbubbles is discussed and a model is proposed. Received for publication on Dec. 3, 1999; accepted on April 18, 2000