The eigenvalue problem of risers is of utmost importance, particularly if vortex-induced vibration (VIV) is concerned. Design procedures rely on the determination of eigenvalues and eigenmodes. Natural frequencies are not too sensitive to the proper consideration of boundary condition, within a certain extent where dynamics at the touchdown area (TDA) may be modeled as dominated by the dynamics of the suspended part. However, eigenmodes may be strongly affected in this region because, strictly speaking, this is a nonlinear one-side (contact-type) boundary condition. Actually, we shall consider a nonlinear eigenvalue problem. Locally, at TDA, riser flexural rigidity and soil interaction play important roles and may affect the dynamic curvature. Extending and merging former analytical solutions on touchdown point (TDP) dynamics and on the eigenvalue problem, obtained through asymptotic and perturbation methods, the present work critically address soil and bending stiffness effects a little further. As far as linear soil stiffness and planar dynamics hypotheses may be considered valid, it is shown that penetration in the soil is small and that its effect does not change significantly the bending loading that is mainly caused by the cyclic excursion of the TDP and corresponding dynamic tension. A comparison of the analytical results with a full nonlinear time-domain simulation shows a remarkable agreement for a typical steel catenary riser. The WKB approximation for the eigenvalue problem gives good estimates for TDP excursion. As the dynamic tension caused solely by VIV is very small, the merged analytical solution may be used as a first estimate of the curvature variation at TDP in the cases of current perpendicular to the "riser plane."

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Usually when a large internal fluid pressure acts on the inner walls of flexible pipes, the carcass layer is not loaded, as the first internal pressure resistance is given by the internal polymeric layer that transmits almost all the loading to the metallic pressure armor layer. The last one must be designed to ensure that the flexible pipe will not fail when loaded by a defined value of internal pressure. This paper presents three different numerical models and an analytical nonlinear model for determining the maximum internal pressure loading withstood by a flexible pipe without burst. The first of the numerical models is a ring approximation for the helically rolled pressure layer, considering its actual cross section profile. The second one is a full model for the same structure, considering the pressure layer laying angle and the cross section as built. The last numerical model is a two-dimensional (2D) simplified version, considering the pressure layer as an equivalent ring. The first two numerical models consider contact nonlinearities and a nonlinear elastic-plastic material model for the pressure layer. The analytical model considers the pressure armor layer as an equivalent ring, taking into account geometrical and material nonlinear behaviors. Assumptions and results for each model are compared and discussed. The failure event and the corresponding stress state are commented.

Dry collapse is one of the possible failure modes of flexible pipes. It refers to the situation in which no damage occurs in the flexible pipe external sheath. In this scenario, all layers of the pipe withstand the external pressure loading in a deep-water application. Such a situation is addressed in this work, which proposes some simplified modeling techniques to represent straight and curved flexible pipes subjected to external pressure, undergoing dry collapse during simulation procedure. The results of the proposed models are compared to other reference results, from a fully three-dimensional (3D) finite element model. Good agreement has been got, even with the proposed simplifications with a large reduction in computational cost when compared to full 3D model.

Flexible risers are complex structures composed of several concentric polymeric and steel armor layers which withstand static and dynamic loads applied by the floating production vessel and by the ocean environment. Determining the axial and torsional stiffness values of such structures is an important task for the global structural analysis, since it provides a probable value that can be used in this analysis to predict the load distribution along the line and permitting, thus, to estimate the expected life of the structure. Although such stiffness values may be provided by the manufacturer, it is quite desirable that they can be estimated by analytical models instead. However, any analytical model proposed for such a task must be checked with well-conducted experimental results in order to be considered as an acceptable analysis tool. The aim of this work is to present the main results involving axial-torsional tests in a 2.5" flexible riser, carried out at the Technological Research Institute of Sa˜o Paulo (IPT). Besides presenting full data concerning the internal structure of the riser, this paper describes the experimental procedures used to perform the tests and the main obtained results (e.g., Force × Displacement and Twisting moment × Displacement curves). Tests involving internal pressure were also performed and the obtained results are also presented in this work. Comparisons between analytically calculated values of the axial and torsional stiffnesses with those obtained experimentally are made and discussed. A brief discussion about the validity of some hypotheses which are usually assumed by analytical models found in the technical literature is made at the end of the work.