Numerical investigation on vortex-induced vibration of catenary riser conveying fluid under top-end heave excitation

Due to the catenary shape of steel catenary risers (SCR), the heave motion of the floating platform can generate an equivalent oscillatory flow field and excite the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of SCR. Internal flow conveyed by SCR further complicates the VIV response. A semi-empirical model is improved to simulate the VIV of SCR with internal flow under top-end heave excitation. VIV characteristics such as displacement temporal–spatial distribution and amplitude spectra spatial distribution are analysed and the fatigue damage is calculated. The effects of heave period, heave amplitude, internal flow volumetric flow rate and internal flow density on VIV of SCR are discussed. The heave excitation with short period or large amplitude tends to excite high-order-mode response and enlarge the fatigue damage. The VIV response becomes less regular and the fatigue damage is reduced when the internal flow volumetric flow rate or density increases.