Effect of Couplers on Structural Responses of Subsea Risers in Water Flows

Abstract

This study presents the effects of geometric characteristics on the structural responses of three target risers (simple riser, flat coupled riser, and circular coupled riser). For the purpose, a coupled analysis was carried out to initially calculate the pressure fields on the target structures in water flow fields and then obtain structural responses such as the maximum displacements and equivalent stresses. From the results, it is shown that the responses increase as the riser thickness decreases or radius of curvature increases. Therefore, it is found to be better to increase the riser thickness for all the risers and to decrease the radius of curvature for the circular coupled riser in the design stage. calculate the pressure fields on the target structures in water flow fields and then obtain structural responses such as the maximum displacements and equivalent stresses. From the results, it is shown that the responses increase as the riser thickness decreases or radius of curvature increases. Therefore, it is found to be better to increase the riser thickness for all the risers and to decrease the radius of curvature for the circular coupled riser in the design stage.