The measurement of forces exerted on submarine pipelines by breaking waves

Date
1993
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis was to measure the forces due to breaking waves on a pipeline, raiseJ a small d·,stance above the sea-bed, in a physical model. The main purpose was rn construct a system which could reliably and accurately measure these forcl!s . Preliminary tests were then canied out, using this system, to determine whetier there is a sudden increase in the forces as the pipeline is moved from just sea-ward of the breaker zone, into the breaker zone. A literature study indicated that a factor of 2 to 3 should be allowed, for the increase in the forces under breaking waves, when compared to the forces under non-breaking waves of the same height and period. Because of the possibility of these breaking waves imparting an impact force to the measuring system, a major part of the study was devoted to the development of a measuring system with a high frequency response, which would be able to respond to these high pressure forces of short duration Due to the time limitation, only exploratory tests on the forces under breaking waves could be carried out. These tests were carried out in the 1 m. wide by 40 m long wave flume of the University of Stellenbosch. Only the case of tl1e pipeline parallel to the wave crests was investigated.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om die kragte wat deur brekende golwe op 'n pyplyn naby die seebodem uitgeoefen word, te meet. Die hoofdoel is om 'n meetstelsel saam te stel waarmee hierdie kragte betroubaar en akkuraat gemeet kan word. Voorlopige toetse met hierdie stelsel is daarna uitgevoer om vas te stel of daar 'n skielike toename in die krag is wanneer die pyplyn verskuif word vanaf net seewaarts van die brekersone tot binne die brekersone. Literatuurstudies wys daarop dat 'n faktor van 2 tot 3 in die toename van die krag onder golwe wat breek toegelaat moet word in vergelyking met die krag onder niebrekende golwe van dieselfde hoogte en periode. Aangesien hierdie golwe wat breek moontlik 'n impulskrag mag uitoefen, is 'n groot deel van die studie gewy aan die ontwikkeling van 'n meetstelsel met 'n hoë frekwensieaksie wat sal kan reageer op hierdie hoë krag van korte duur. As gevolg van die tydsbeperking, kon slegs voorlopige toetse op kragte onder brekende golwe uitgevoer word. Hierdie toetse het plaasgevind in die 1 meter breë by 40 meter lange golfkanaal van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Slegs pyplyne wat parallel met die golfkruin was, is ondersoek.
Description
Thesis (M. Ing.) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1993.
Keywords
Ocean wave power, Ocean waves, Underwater pipelines, Measuring instruments, Ocean waves -- Measurement, Dissertations -- Civil engineering, UCTD
Citation