Experimental Study on Extreme Hydrodynamic Loading on Pipelines. Part 1: Flow Hydrodynamics

Abstract

Over the past two decades, extreme flood events generated by tsunamis or hurricanes have caused massive damage to nearshore infrastructures and coastal communities. Utility pipelines are part of such infrastructure and need to be protected against potential extreme hydrodynamic loading. Therefore, to address the uncertainties and parameters involved in extreme hydrodynamic loading on pipelines, a comprehensive experimental program was performed using an experimental facility which is capable of generating significant hydraulic forcing, such as dam-break waves. The study presented herein examines the dam-break flow characteristics and influence of the presence of pipelines on flow conditions. To simulate conditions of coastal flooding under tsunami-induced inundation, experiments were performed on both dry and wet bed conditions to assess the influence of different impoundment depths and still water levels on the hydrodynamic features.

Tsunami Science and Engineering II

“…This book includes nine excellent contributions [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] to this special issue published between 2018 and 2019. The overall aim of the collection is to improve modelling and mitigate the destruction of tsunamis and the negative effects they have on us and our environment.…”

“…The order of the nine articles [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] in this book follows the three tsunami phases: generation, propagation and their effects. The first article from Perez del Postigo et al [3] focuses on tsunami generation and propagation.…”

“…The last three articles from Istrati et al [9] and Ghodoosipour et al [10,11] investigate the impact of tsunamis on bridges and pipelines, respectively, motivated by recent tsunamis damaging and/or destroying such critical infrastructure. Istrati et al [9] investigate tsunami impact on a bridge with open girders to decipher the tsunami overtopping process and the associated demand on the bridge and its structural components.…”

“…Both Ghodoosipour et al [10] and Ghodoosipour et al [11] rely on the identical experiments with Ghodoosipour et al [10] carefully introducing into the dam-break flow characteristics and the influence of the presence of pipelines on flow conditions for a wide range of Froude numbers. The experiments involved both dry and wet beds to assess the influence of different impoundment depths and still water levels on the hydrodynamic features.…”

“…The experiments involved both dry and wet beds to assess the influence of different impoundment depths and still water levels on the hydrodynamic features. Ghodoosipour et al [11] investigate the hydrodynamic forces and moments these tsunami-like bores [10] exert on pipes. Based on their results, Ghodoosipour et al [11] found resistance coefficients in the range of 1.0 to 3.5 and lift coefficients in the range of 0.5 to 3.0, which are very valuable for the design of pipelines located in tsunami-prone areas.…”