The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

A new facility for studying ocean-structure-seabed interactions: The O-tube

A new facility for studying ocean-structure-seabed interactions: The O-tube
A new facility for studying ocean-structure-seabed interactions: The O-tube

This paper describes a unique new physical testing facility for studying ocean-structure-seabed interactions, and in particular pipeline on-bottom stability on erodible seabed under hydrodynamic loading. The facility, named the O-tube due to its shape, is a fully enclosed flume in which ambient and storm-induced near-seabed flows are generated by a computer-controlled flow pump. Combined steady and oscillatory flow can be generated by alternating pump flow directions in a controlled manner, and computer control also allows irregular flow to be generated. The design of the O-tube combines the capabilities of a conventional open channel flume (which provides steady current) with a U-tube (which provides oscillatory flow). The facility is designed to physically model severe storm conditions, as well as ambient or tidal flows. When studying pipeline stability on erodible seabed under severe hydrodynamic loading conditions, tests can be performed at a relatively large scale (typically 1/5) for large diameter pipelines (e.g. 40. in. gas trunklines) and at full scale for small diameter pipelines (<. 8. in.) to minimize potential scaling effects associated with movable bed model tests. The specifications of the O-tube, a model pipe and an actuator system that supports the model pipe are given in detail. Preliminary model testing results show that the facility has met its design expectations.

Sediment transport, Subsea structure
0378-3839
88-101
An, Hongwei
53542f2c-e294-4e26-a581-344e646c72e6
Luo, Chengcai
3f76a01f-41ea-43b3-8be7-6e6289179aa8
Cheng, Liang
0ce99dcc-f682-4ec6-97aa-59fd87174385
White, David
a986033d-d26d-4419-a3f3-20dc54efce93
An, Hongwei
53542f2c-e294-4e26-a581-344e646c72e6
Luo, Chengcai
3f76a01f-41ea-43b3-8be7-6e6289179aa8
Cheng, Liang
0ce99dcc-f682-4ec6-97aa-59fd87174385
White, David
a986033d-d26d-4419-a3f3-20dc54efce93

An, Hongwei, Luo, Chengcai, Cheng, Liang and White, David (2013) A new facility for studying ocean-structure-seabed interactions: The O-tube. Coastal Engineering, 82, 88-101. (doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.08.008).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This paper describes a unique new physical testing facility for studying ocean-structure-seabed interactions, and in particular pipeline on-bottom stability on erodible seabed under hydrodynamic loading. The facility, named the O-tube due to its shape, is a fully enclosed flume in which ambient and storm-induced near-seabed flows are generated by a computer-controlled flow pump. Combined steady and oscillatory flow can be generated by alternating pump flow directions in a controlled manner, and computer control also allows irregular flow to be generated. The design of the O-tube combines the capabilities of a conventional open channel flume (which provides steady current) with a U-tube (which provides oscillatory flow). The facility is designed to physically model severe storm conditions, as well as ambient or tidal flows. When studying pipeline stability on erodible seabed under severe hydrodynamic loading conditions, tests can be performed at a relatively large scale (typically 1/5) for large diameter pipelines (e.g. 40. in. gas trunklines) and at full scale for small diameter pipelines (<. 8. in.) to minimize potential scaling effects associated with movable bed model tests. The specifications of the O-tube, a model pipe and an actuator system that supports the model pipe are given in detail. Preliminary model testing results show that the facility has met its design expectations.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Accepted/In Press date: 28 August 2013
e-pub ahead of print date: 25 September 2013
Published date: December 2013
Keywords: Sediment transport, Subsea structure

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 420158
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/420158
ISSN: 0378-3839
PURE UUID: 28b35fe8-c367-4b8e-9a68-0c2185864d76
ORCID for David White: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-2968-582X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 27 Apr 2018 16:30
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 03:42

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Hongwei An
Author: Chengcai Luo
Author: Liang Cheng
Author: David White ORCID iD

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×