Offshore pipeline spans, due to uneven seabed or seabed erosion processes, can require huge and costly seabed interventions. The DNV GL recommended practice (RP) on free spanning pipelines has been widely applied in industry to solve the problems related to free spans in pipeline design and operation. The RP has now been updated with project and research experience from the last decade on free span dynamic response, particularly on structural modelling. DNVGL-RP-F105 enables significant costs savings, both in the newbuilding and operational phase.
The scope of the RP is to provide rational design criteria and guidance for assessment of dynamic response of pipeline free spans due to combined wave and current loading. Detailed design criteria are specified for ultimate limit state (ULS) and fatigue limit state (FLS) due to in-line and cross-flow vortex induced vibrations (VIV) and direct wave loading.
The new revision of DNVGL-RP-F105 has improved several key physical models and introduces general guidance to new aspects where no real alternative guidance is given elsewhere. In addition, the document has also systematically been improved based on experience and feed-back provided by users of the previous revision.
The main changes consist of:
A new force model for direct wave action, which allows for multi-mode and multi-span analyses
Highly accurate modal response quantity calculation procedures for short spans
General guidance for how to apply and interpret sensor technology on free spans
General guidance for how to apply the RP to spools, jumpers, flexible loops and piping systems
A new response model for cross-flow VIV in waves with low Keulegan-Carpenter numbers.