The Wave command enables the user to model the effect of ocean waves impacting a partially submerged piping system.
The Wave command uses static analysis to model hydrodynamic effects. A given static analysis computes the response of the structure to a static load representing the force distribution at a given instant of the wave loading cycle (defined by the phase angle, q). Thus, a series of these instantaneous static analyses can be used to trace out the system response over the entire wave cycle.
Notes:
AutoPIPE does not print any calculated wave results. Internally, the wave results are converted as loads on the piping.
AutoPIPE modeling suspended piping from from vessel, platform, or buoyancy modules should be limited to vertical riser as a snaking catenary shape as seen below cannot be modeled in AutoPIPE.
In AutoPIPE buoyancy weight is applied in GR case. It has both longitudinal and transverse components. When the pipe is vertical, difference in pressure cap forces is the same as buoyancy load and the transverse buoyancy is zero. When the pipe is horizontal, the cap forces from external hydrostatic load adds longitudinal stress and associated movements in addition to non zero transverse (vertical) buoyancy load.
Waves forces are applied at bend nodes (near, far and if present a mid point).
Wave loading beyond water depth:
When a user defined current profile (depth - 0 to 115 ft , for example) does not cover the entire range of submerged pipe (Water elevation to Depth: 0 to 270 ft ) AutoPIPE extrapolates the current velocity as explained below.
In the above instance, for depths between 115-270 ft, index is set to 5 and the following equations are used
V = VCUR_index+DV
Where,
When DFP > DCUR5, AutoPIPE sets index = 5
This set of equations creates a linearly varying velocity profile for depths below 115 ft:
If decreasing velocity was defined between index 4 & 5 i.e. depth 75 & 115 ft, then this profile would've been linearly decreasing below 115 ft. Note that it may not necessarily reach 0 at depth of ocean bed. The affects wave force calculation has not yet been investigated to see any affects.
Note: The maximum force due to drag occurred at 0 deg phase angle, while maximum force due to inertia occurred around 90+/- deg phase angle. For this wave, with the given parameters, total max force on the pipe, sum both curves, occurred at approximately 90+/- deg phase angle.
Questions and Answers:
Answer: Yes.