Evaluation of Existing Semi-Empirical Models of Scour at a Submarine System

Abstract

Assessment of scour below pipelines and gravity based structures in a submarine system is revisited with evaluation of data from two inspections and results for semi-empirical simplified models. Usually semi-empirical models are based on small scale experimental data that normally consider uniform and noncohesive sediments and have been questioned as to their practical applications. Recent local metocean data is used to revisit predictions of onset of scour and scour depth for the system, which are compared to survey statistics.