Wave effects on vortex-induced vibrations of a top-tensioned riser

Offshore drilling risers, top-tensioned risers and many production risers are top tensioned, connecting the vessel and seabed via joints. External loads such as currents, waves and vessel motions introduce cyclic loads and motions on riser sections, which may shorten the service life due to accumulated fatigue damage. Dynamic responses under combined currents and waves are more complicated than vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) due to pure currents, and it is not fully understood. Several model test campaigns on top-tensioned riser (TTR) have been carried out at SINTEF Ocean (former MARINTEK) during the past decades. Currents, waves and vessel motions were modeled, and the riser model responses were measured. In this study, selected cases from such model tests are analysed, and used to validate a semi-empirical time domain VIV prediction tool – VIVANA-TD. A better understanding of the dynamic responses of TTR under combined currents and waves has been achieved. By comparing the results from numerical simulation using VIVANA-TD and model test measurements, validity and limitation of the time domain tool have been investigated. Important features that need to be considered are discussed. The experience gained from the present study establishes a good basis for VIV and wave load prediction of full-scale TTRs under combined currents and waves where the uncertainty of VIV prediction is further reduced.