Proposed Research work on The effect of Wind-wave-current interaction on the hydrodynamics around a free surface piercing cylinder By Yakubu

Kasimu Galadima 109180571 Overview As the search for the source of energy-both hydrocarbon and renewable-moves progressively into the hostile regions of the oceans, offshore structures such as drilling and production oil platform and wind turbines are exposed to the extreme condition of the marine environment such as hurricanes, waves and currents. Hurricane induced waves and currents have wrecked havoc on offshore installations in the past. Few examples in recent past include hurricane Andrew (1992), hurricane Lili (2003) which caused damages to as much as 17 offshore platforms. In 2004, waves and current induced by hurricane Ivan destroyed 7 platforms. The failure of the platforms was attributed to the fact that interaction between wind, wave and current was not fully understood and integrated into the metocean design conditions. Fatigue loading on offshore structures and marine risers due to vortex-induced vibrations is another problem associated with fluid-structure interaction that marine designers have to contend with. When vortex is shed from a structure, the shedding process induces vibration on the structure in phase with the shedding frequency, which may lead to fatigue failure. In addition, if the frequency of the excited vibration approaches the natural frequency of the structure, a hazardous amplification of vibration of the system may lead to buckling of the structural member. Therefore, understanding how these forces interact with the structure is the major challenge in preventing structural failure in the marine environment. However, despite the important role, it plays in causing failure of marine structures, a holistic approach to the problem of fluid-structure interaction as would incorporate wind, wave and current interacting with the structure have received little if any attention from researchers. Scope In order to have a comprehensive insight into the problem of fluid-structure interaction, hydrodynamics around a free surface piercing cylinder would be studied in this proposed research work since it is a representative flow configuration encountered in most offshore installations. There are two aspects to this proposed research work. The first aspect seeks to investigate the effects of the asymmetric flow boundary imposed by the free surface in the presence of wind, wave and current on the overall fluid-structure interaction. The second aspect will then focus on investigating how the changes on the overall flow structure have on the hydrodynamic forces acting on the structure. Aims Since very little is known about the nature of the interaction between wind, wave and current on the overall structure of flow around a structure, the proposed research work aims at consolidating, improving and extending the results of previous researches. To this end, the contribution of wind on the fluid-structure interaction is integrated into the model, so that the joint interaction between the wind, wave, current and a cylinder piercing the free surface is investigated. Objectives To achieve the aim of the research work the following objectives have been set 1. To subject the experimental model to various flow conditions and configuration based on nondimensional parameters such as Reynolds number , strouhal number , Keulegan-carpenter number , e.t.c. 2. The effects of the interaction between winds, wave and current on the overall hydrodynamics of the flow would be measured. Investigation will focus on effects such as the Doppler shift observed in the wave characteristics due to the presence of current, the attenuation of vortex shedding frequency near the free surface.
1 PhD Research Proposal: Yakubu Kasimu Galadima, 2011

3. Effects of the influencing parameters on the structure of the flow are investigated. These influencing parameters include blockage ratio, turbulence in the approach flow, shear in the incoming flow, surface roughness, and cross sectional shape. 4. The effects of the changes on the flow characteristics induced by the wind, wave and current interaction with the structure on the mean and fluctuating force coefficients is measured. These coefficients are the lift and drag force coefficients. 5. Finally, a Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation of the model would be generated, and its results validated against those from experiments. Once validated, the CFD model will be used to research on more flow configuration and conditions, focusing on extreme flow conditions that are otherwise impossible to undertake experimentally. Methodology In order to achieve the above objectives, activities on the research work are organised into two phases. The initial phase will involve experimental measurement in a wind-wave-current tank, and the second phase is the simulation of various flow configurations using a CFD model Initially, the cylinder would be place in the path of only wave and current and the fluid-structure interaction studied. This is to allow for validation of results with previous works. Thereafter, wind, wave and current would be introduced into the tank, incident on the cylinder and the interaction measured. Advance CFD technique is then used to investigate flow that is more complex after it has been validated against results from the physical experiment. Research capabilities Student: I have conducted a research on the wind-wave-current interaction with a circular cylinder using the wind-wave-current tank as my MSc dissertation. Though this study focuses on a smooth circular cylinder only and the flow regime was limited to the subcritical Reynolds number flow regime, it has provided me with the basic knowledge needed for this comprehensive version of the study. Supervisor: Dr Ignazio Maria Viola has extensive CFD experience covering Large Eddy Simulation. Deliverables At the end of this research work, the following should be achieved A description of the resulting flow characteristics would be made which it is hoped will result in the modification of the appropriate platform dimensions such as deck height to ensure that the platform essential parts are secured against impacts from extreme waves and currents induced by hurricanes. Appropriate force coefficients incorporating the effects of the interaction between wind, wave and current with the structure would be determined for efficient design of offshore drilling and production platforms. A paper would be presented at the fluid structure interaction conference on wind-wave-current interaction with a free surface piercing cylinder. Expanded version of the conference paper making up two research papers will be submitted one for publication in the journal of fluid mechanics and the other in the journal of ocean engineering. Research benefits Results from the study into the nature of fluid-structure interaction will provide useful data that will permit an increased confidence in predicting hydrodynamics around offshore structures, which would yield enormous future benefits to the oil and gas industry. For example, a great savings in cost is possible by being able to predict the frequency of vortex shedding from such complex interaction of the metocean conditions, since it is the main cause of fatigue failure of structures in the marine environment. Furthermore, an accurate prediction of the flow structure that result as a consequence of interaction between wind, waves and current with the structure will produce key environmental design data that will permit a safe and robust design that can withstand the extreme waves and current load on structures induced by hurricanes. The conference and research papers from this study will also serve as a boost to the technical and research prestige of the department of marine science and technology and the university at large.

PhD Research Proposal: Yakubu Kasimu Galadima, 2011