free span &

fatigue analysis
topics
FREE SPAN & FATIGUE
ANALYSIS

 Static
 Dynamic
 Fatigue
 Remediation
 EXPECTATION

 Understand the free span analysis process

 Know the free span concept and how to
remediate it
 Introduction
 The pipeline span analysis is performed to determine allowable
pipeline free spans in installation, hydrotest and operation conditions.
 The allowable pipeline span is established from static load
considerations and dynamic (vortex shedding).
 Static span design criteria are based on the allowable bending stress
for the pipeline. The static span calculations take into account the
pipeline weight, design pressure, design temperature and additional
forces due to current and significant waves associated with the
relevant return period. The hydrodynamic loading is computed based
on the design water depth.
 The vortex shedding calculations are based on the design currents
and significant waves associated with the relevant return period.
 Codes & standards
The following codes & standard will be used:
1. DnV 1981, Rules for Submarine Pipeline Systems, 1981
2. DnV RP E-305, “On Bottom Stability Design of Submarine
Pipelines”,1988
3. DnV 2000 (OS F-101), Rules for Submarine Pipeline Systems, 2000
4. DnV GL-14, “Free Spanning Pipelines”, 1998.
5. DnV RP F 105, “Free Spanning Pipelines”, 2002.

Referances:
6. Yong Bai, Pipeline and Riser, 2000
7. A.H. Mouselli, Introduction to Submarine Pipeline Design
Installation, and Construction, 1976
8. Andrew Palmer, Roger A King, Subsea Pipeline Engineering, Penwell
2004
Free span PIPELINE DESIGN

analysis DATA GATHERING

OPERATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
SURVEY
OTHERS

FORMULATE
DESIGN CRITERIA

PIPELINE MATERIAL PRELIMINARY DESIGN INCREASE WALL

AND STEEL GRADE THICKNESS OR
SELECTION WALL THICKNESS MATERIAL GRADE
BUCKLING CHECK

Spanning STABILITY DESIGN

analysis
PIPELAY INSTALLATION
LIFTING DESIGN
PIPELINE PROPERTIES

NATURAL BEND NO
IS
SPANNING
INPLACE DESIGN PIPELINE
THERMAL
LAYABLE
CROSSINGS

YES

DESIGN
CORROSION CORROSION COAT
REPORT
PIPELINE MATERIAL ANODE DESIGN

EVALUATE
DESIGN PROTECTION
HAZARDS

YES
IS
PIPELINE
SAFE

NO

DESIGN ADDITIONAL
STABILIZATION
 introduction

subsea free span

Design approach

When line subjected to worst-case environmental

wave and current loadings, the line required
maximum allowable span length to achieve
stability due to yield requirement and vortex, it is
determined in accordance with the requirements of
DnV 1981 and DnV RP E305
BASIC PRINCIPLE

In order to make the pipeline stable due to free

span, we can:

1. Reducing length of free span pipeline, (eg.

Support, rock dumping)
Data gathering

What kind of data do we need in Free Span Analysis?

1.Environmental data and metocean data

2.Soil data
 Free Span Analysis
• Free span could exist as consequences from pipe laying on uneven seabed,
erosion and scouring
Uneven Seabed
Seabed Scouring
 Free Span Analysis

• On set of sand scouring

 Free Span Analysis

• Static Analysis

 The maximum allowable span length based on

static stress considerations are dependent on self-
weight of the pipe and coatings and the uniformly
distributed load from the environment.

 The allowable static span length for a pipeline is

calculated by limiting the equivalent stress in the
span to ab where ab is the allowable bending
stress based on the Von Mises equation after
deducting the axial stress.
 Free Span Analysis

 The following stress equation is used to

calculate bending stress:

Maximum Bending Moment: W  L2 

Mb   
 C 
M b  Z  b

La = allowable static freespan

C = end restrained constant
= 8.0 for pinned-to-pinned condition
10.0 for partial fixity condition
12.0 for fixed-to-fixed condition
Z = section modulus
b = maximum allowable bending stress
W = uniformly distributed load per unit length
 Free Span Analysis

 The following stress equation is used to

calculate bending stress:

W D Ls 2 
 ab  
 20 I 
 Free Span Analysis

 Where σab = Allowable Bending Stress (N/m2)

Ls = Maximum static span (m)

I = Second Moment of area (m4)

D = Outside Diameter of Steel Pipe (m)
W = Uniformly distributed load per unit length (N/m)
= (Fv2 + FH2)0.5

Fv = Total Vertical Force (N/m)

= Ws
FH = Total Horizontal force (N/m)
= FD  FI
 Free Span Analysis

FD = Drag Force (N/m)

= 0.5C D  sw Dt (Vc  U s cos  ) 2

FI = Inertia Force (N/m)

= 0.25C I  sw Dt As sin 
2

CD = Drag Coefficient

CI = Inertia Coefficient

Ws = Submerged pipe weight (N/m)

ρsw = Density of seawater (kg/m3)
 Free Span Analysis

Dt = Total outer diameter of pipe (m)

g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)

Vc = Horizontal steady current normal to pipe axis (m/s)

Us = Wave – induced horizontal water particle velocity

normal to pipe axis (m/s)
As = Horizontal water particle acceleration normal to
the pipe axis (m/s2)

θ = Wave phase angle (deg)

 Free Span Analysis

• Static Analysis

2  C  I  e
La 
W  Dtot
La = allowable static freespan
C = end restrained constant
= 8.0 for pinned-to-pinned condition
10.0 for partial fixity condition
I = moment of inertia
e = equivalent stress
W = uniformly distributed load per unit length
=
2
Ws  ( FD  FI ) 2

• Allowable static span - based on the criterion that the

stresses in the pipeline are within the allowable limits.
 Free Span Analysis

• Static Analysis
2  C  I  e
La 
W  Dtot

2
Ws  ( FD  FI ) 2
 Free Span Analysis

 The allowable bending stress is computed based on a fully

restrained pipeline, which gives the most critical span
requirement.

 The allowable bending stress due to span effect is determined

by using the Von Mises equation. The allowable bending
stress is computed by setting the allowable equivalent
stresses and deducting the stress due to internal pressure,
curvature and temperature effect.

 The pipe stresses must not exceed the allowable combined

stresses in all conditions. These allowable stresses are used in
the static span calculation to determine the allowable span
length with self-weight and 1 year and 100 year
environmental loading.
 Free Span Analysis

 Allowable combined stresses are presented below:

TABLE 4.2 – ALLOWABLE STRESS

CRITERIA
Description Allowable
Combined Stress
(%SMYS)
Installation
72
Hydrotest
90
Operation
90
 Free Span Analysis

Dynamic Analysis

 The dynamic span is calculated by considering the vortex

induced vibration (VIV) from the flow velocity acting on the
pipeline.

 The excitation due to vortex shedding is analysed in

accordance with Appendix A of 1981 DNV “Rules of
Submarine Pipeline System” (Ref. [2]). In this guideline, the
pipeline is designed for no vortex shedding vibration.

 Under the guidelines of DNV 81 (Ref. [2]), to avoid the

occurrence of vortex shedding excitation, the maximum
permissible free-span length will be determined based on a
comparison of the frequency of vortex shedding and the
natural frequency of the pipe span.
 Free Span Analysis
• Dynamic Analysis (VIV, vortex induced vibration)
• Allowable dynamic span - based on the criterion that there is no in-
line or cross-flow vortex induced vibrations in the pipeline due to
current
ARAH
ALIRAN

VORTEX

PIPA

PIPA

INLINE OSCILLATION

CROSS FLOW OSCILLATION

dynamic
 Free Span Analysis

dynamic
 Free Span Analysis

dynamic
 Free Span Analysis

 The vortex shedding frequency is given by the formula:

S tV
fv 
Dtot

Where: fv = Vortex shedding frequency (1/s)

St = Strouhal number

V = Flow velocity normal to pipeline (m/s)

Dt = Pipe diameter (total) (m)

 Dynamic Span
 For determination of the velocity ranges where vortex
shedding induced oscillations may occur, a parameter called
the reduced velocity Vr, is used. Vr is defined as:

Uc
Vr 
f n Dt
Where: Vr = Reduced velocity

Uc = Flow velocity normal to pipe axis (m/s)

fn = Natural frequency of pipe span (1/s)

Dt = Outer pipe diameter including coatings (m)

Uc  Us U D
 Dynamic Span
 The natural frequency of the free span is determined from:

1
C1  EI  2
fn   4 
2 m L
 e 
Where: C1 = Numerical constant dependent on end conditions (-)

E = Young’s modulus (N/m2)

I = 2nd moment of area of pipe (m4)

me = Effective mass of pipe (kg/m)

L = Length of free-span (m)

Dynamic Span
 The numerical constant, C1, which is dependent on the end
restraint conditions, varies over the range ² or 9.87 to 22.0
for end conditions varying from simply supported to fully
fixed. In this case, C1 is taken as 15.4 (fixed/pinned
condition).
Dynamic Span
 The effective mass per unit length, me, is defined as:

me  m p  mc  m a

Where: me = Effective mass (kg/m)

mp = Mass of coated pipe in air (kg/m)

mc = Mass of content (kg/m)

ma = Added mass (kg/m)
= mass of water displaced by the volume
of the coated pipe
 Dynamic Span
 Another parameter controlling the response of the pipeline is
the stability parameter, Ks, defined as:
2me
Ks 
w Dt

Where: Ks = Stability parameter (-)

me = Effective mass (kg/m)

 = Logarithmic decrement of structural
damping (-)
Dt = Outer pipe diameter including coatings (m)

w = Mass density of surrounding water (kg/m3)

Types of Oscillations
 Two types of oscillations may occur:
 oscillations in-line with the velocity vector (in-line motion),
and
 oscillations perpendicular to the velocity vector (cross-flow
motion).
 In-Line Oscillations
 Resonant in-line vortex shedding
induced oscillations may occur when 1.0
< Vr < 3.5 and Ks < 1.8.

 The flow velocity for the onset of in-line

motion is dependent on Ks. The
relationship is given in Figure A.3 of
DNV 1981 Rules (Ref. [1]).

 Depending on the flow velocity, the

vortices will either be shed
symmetrically or, alternatively, from
either side of the pipe.

 For 1.0 < Vr < 2.2 the shedding will be

symmetrical

 For Vr > 2.2 the shedding will be

asymmetrical.

 The amplitude of the motions due to in-

line vortex excitation may be
determined from 1981 DNV Rules
(how?).
Cross-flow Oscillations
 Cross-flow oscillations may occur for Ks < 16 and values of Vr as
determined from DNV 1981 Rules.
 The velocity for onset of cross-flow motion is dependent on the Reynolds
Number of the flow across the pipe span (See Figure A.5 of DNV 1981
(Ref. [1])).

 The amplitude of the cross-flow motion is dependent on Ks, the stability

parameter. The maximum value, as predicted by the DNV approach, may
be determined from 1981 DNV Rules (how?).
 Free Span Analysis
The critical span length for a known set of environmental conditions is
calculated using the procedure given below:

Establish the value of Ks and hence determine the reduced

velocity for onset of in-line and cross-flow motion, Vr. Re- arrange
and combine the formulae given above to give an expression for the
critical span length.

1
 BDt V r  2
Lcr   
 U c 
Where: Lcr = Critical free span length (m)
1

B = 15.4  EI  2
 
2  me 

Substitute the appropriate values in the above formula and

determine the critical span length for vortex induced span excitation.

dynamic
 Free Span Analysis

• The criteria instead of oscillation phenomena

• Ref. Mouselli

f s  0.7 f n

dynamic
 Free Span Analysis
• In-line & Cross flow

In-line vortex shedding resonance will effect the oscillation when 1<Vr<3,5
and Ks<1.8
Cross-flow oscillation could happen if Ks<16, and Vr determined by figure on
the right below

dynamic
 Free Span Analysis
• In-line & Cross flow

In-line vortex shedding resonance will effect the oscillation when 1<Vr<3,5
and Ks<1.8
Cross-flow oscillation could happen if Ks<16, and Vr determined by figure on
the right below

dynamic
 Free Span Analysis

• Maximum allowable span

Maximum Allowable Span

Case
Lcr due to VIV (m) Lcr due to yield req. (m)

Installation (1yr) 51.055 73

Hydrotest (1yr) 48.566 67

Operating with Product
(100yr) 45.914 73

dynamic
 Span property
• Natural Frequency vs. Vortex Frequency & Morphological Check

Spans where not meet the requirement are:

#615 (fs = 0.235 > 0.222 (0.7fn)),
#626 (fs = 0.228 > 0.1868 (0.7fn)), The hazard of resonances by VIV
#631 (fs = 0.217 > 0.021 (0.7fn)) &
#642 (fs = 0.215 > 0.193 (0.7fn)).
 Fatigue damage
s
ni
Dfat  
• DnV 1981 & GL 14

i 1 N i

Ni = C . Si- m

C = characteristic fatigue strength constant

Si = rentang tegangan (response model),
S = (Smax – Smin) . SCF

ni = P (*) . fv . Tlife

P (*) = probabilitas kejadian untuk sea-state tertentu (Hs, Tp, θw)

fv = frekuensi vibrasi dominant dari model respon pipa
Tlife = waktu yang diekspos untuk efek pembebanan fatigue (seperti design life)

Tlife
D fat 
C
 f v ( s R S ( f ,  k ,...)) m P ()  
 Fatigue damage s-n curve

S
ni
nf = 
i=1 N i

Where:

S = number of stress
blocks
ni = number of stress
cycles in stress block i
Ni = number of cycles to
failure at constant stress range, (s r) i
 Span remediation

• Span hanging there need support immediately

 Span remediation

• Rock Dumping Support

 Span remediation

• Grout Bag
 Span Correction

• Jet Trenching
 Span design Needed for

• Routing Optimization
 Span design Needed for

• Distance between Support on Crossing Design

The end…..

Thank you