Numerical investigation of the unsteady flow at high Reynolds number over a marine riser with helical strakes

Prediction of Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIV) is one of the main topics in the design of deepwater risers. The understanding and modelling of the complex fluid-structure interaction requires advanced analysis techniques coupling, in a correct manner, both structural and fluid dynamics aspects. This study aims to develop, optimise and calibrate a numerical code to provide reliable results within a reasonable analysis timefirame and without, or very limited, need of experimental verification. For this purpose, the unsteady Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes (RANS) code chi navis is applied to solve a typical riser VIV problem and compute the three-dimensional riser-fluid dynamics interaction. During a preliminary analysis phase, the two-dimensional (2-D) flow past (i) a bare circular cylinder and (ii) a straked riser at high Reynolds numbers is simulated (different incidences flow/strake vanes are analysed). Numerical results are validated and calibrated against published test data. The core analysis phase is then focused on the numerical investigation of the unsteady flow over a three-dimensional (3-D) helical strake. In this phase, the three-dimensional flow field, turbulent structures and response frequency patterns are analysed. Spectral analysis of data is performed to identify carrier frequencies deemed to be critical due to the induced vibration of the whole structure, and helical strakes efficiency in reducing the riser vibrations is also addressed. Finally, comparison between numerical and experimental results shows that the complexity of a three-dimensional model is indeed compensated by a significantly improved accuracy of the obtained results.