A generalized numerical method for solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in three-dimensions has been developed. This solution methodology allows for the accurate prediction of the hydrodynamic loads on offshore structures, which is then combined with a rigid body structural response to address the flow-structure coupling which is often present in offshore applications. Validation results using this method are first presented for fixed structures which compare the drag coefficients of sphere and cylinder geometries to experimental measurements over a range of subcritical Reynolds numbers. Additional fixed structure results are then presented which explore the influence of aspect ratio effects on the lift and drag coefficients of a bare circular cylinder. Finally, the spanwise flow variations between a fixed and freely vibrating cylindrical structure are compared to demonstrate the ability of the flow-structure method to correctly predict correlation length increases for a vibrating structure. [S0892-7219(00)00904-3]

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
hydrodynamics, structural engineering, motion estimation
Topics:
Circular cylinders, Cylinders, Drag (Fluid dynamics), Flow (Dynamics), Numerical analysis, Offshore structures, Reynolds number, Stress, Navier-Stokes equations, Vortex-induced vibration
1.
Larsen
,
C.
, and
Halse
,
K.
,
1994
, “
Comparison of Models for Vortex Induced Vibrations of Marine Risers and Cables,” Final Report of the Workshop on Vortex-Induced Vibrations of Marine Risers and Cables
,
Trondheim, Norway.
2.
Schulz
,
K. W.
, and
Kallinderis
,
Y.
,
1998
, “
Unsteady Flow Structure Interaction for Incompressible Flows Using Deformable Hybrid Grids
,”
J. Comput. Phys.
,
143
, pp.
569
–
597
.
3.
Dalheim, J. 1996, “An ALE Finite Element Method for Interaction of a Fluid and a 2D Flexible Cylinder,” ECCOMAS.
4.
Meling, T. S., 1998, “Numerical Prediction of the Response of a Vortex-Excited Cylinder at High Reynolds Numbers,” Proc. International OMAE Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal.
5.
Gresho
,
P. M.
,
1991
, “
Some Current CFD Issues Relevant to the Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations
,”
Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng.
,
87
, pp.
201
–
252
.
6.
Collins
,
W. M.
, and
Dennis
,
S. C. R.
,
1973
, “
Flow Past an Impulsively Started Circular Cylinder
,”
J. Fluid Mech.
,
60
, No.
1
, pp.
101
–
127
.
7.
Justesen
,
P.
,
1991
, “
A Numerical Study of Oscillating Flow Around a Circular Cylinder
,”
J. Fluid Mech.
,
222
, pp.
157
–
196
.
8.
Chorin
,
A. J.
,
1967
, “
A Numerical Method for Solving Incompressible Viscous Flow Problems
,”
J. Comput. Phys.
,
2
, pp.
12
–
26
.
9.
Kwak
,
D.
,
Chang
,
J. L.
,
Shanks
,
S. P.
, and
Chakravarthy
,
S. R.
,
1986
, “
A Three-Dimensional Incompressible Navier-Stokes Flow Solver Using Primitive Variables
,”
AIAA J.
,
24
, pp.
390
–
396
.
10.
Chorin
,
A. J.
,
1968
, “
Numerical Solution of Incompressible Flow Problems
,”
Studies in Numerical Analysis
,
2
, pp.
64
–
71
.
11.
Bell, J., Colella, P., and Howell, L., 1991, “An Efficient Second-Order Projection Method for Viscous Incompressible Flow,” AIAA Paper No. 91-1560-CP, pp. 360–367.
12.
Kallinderis
,
Y.
,
Khawaja
,
A.
, and
McMorris
,
H.
,
1996
, “
Hybrid Prismatic/Tetrahedral Grid Generation for Viscous Flows Around Complex Geometries
,”
AIAA J.
,
34
, No.
2
, pp.
291
–
298
.
13.
Spalart, P. R., and Allmaras, S. R., 1992, “A One-Equation Turbulence Model for Aerodynamic Flows,” AIAA Paper No. 92-0439-CP.
14.
Schulz, K. W., 1999, Numerical Prediction of the Hydrodynamic Loads and Motions of Offshore Structures, Ph.D. thesis, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Aug.
15.
Craig, R., 1981, Structural Dynamics, Wiley, New York, NY.
16.
Schlichting, H. 1987, Boundary-Layer Theory, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NY.
17.
Zdravkovich, M. M., 1997, Flow Around Circular Cylinders, Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.
18.
Eisenlohr
,
H.
, and
Eckelmann
,
H.
,
1989
, “
Vortex Splitting and its Consequences in the Vortex Street Wake of Cylinders at Low Reynolds Numbers
,”
Phys. Fluids A
,
1A
, pp.
189
–
192
.
19.
Sarpkaya
,
T.
,
1979
, “
Vortex-Induced Oscillations: A Selective Review
,”
J. Appl. Mech.
,
46
, pp.
241
–
258
.
20.
Moe, G., Holden, K., and Yttervoll, P., 1994, “Motion of Spring Supported Cylinders in Subcritical and Critical Water Flows,” Proc. Fourth International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, pp. 468–475.
21.
Massey, B. S., 1979, Mechanics of Fluids, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 4th Edition, New York, NY.
22.
Harlow
,
F. H.
, and
Welch
,
J. E.
,
1965
, “
Numerical Calculation of Time-Dependent Viscous Incompressible Flow of Fluid with Free Surface
,”
Phys. Fluids
,
8
(
12
), pp.
2182
–
2189
.
Copyright © 2000
 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.