Consolidation of Empirics for Calculation of VIV Response

Abstract

The present paper consolidates available experimental results for both sub-critical and critical Reynolds numbers and varying surface roughness and formulates a coefficient excitation model that aims at unbiased response estimates when using semi-empirical VIV prediction programs. A simplified procedure is suggested to account for higher order effects when relevant. The paper discusses the use of a modified coefficient excitation model with the objective of capturing or correctly reflecting certain specific features that have been observed in sub-critical and supercritical VIV experiments. The first part of this paper shows how the available low Reynolds number hydrodynamic data that currently forms the basis for most semi-empirical prediction software needs to be modified to correctly reflect the available experimental observations at sub-critical Reynolds numbers. The latter part of this paper looks at the available high Reynolds experimental data and suggests ways whereby the previously identified force coefficient database might be modified to reflect what is currently known about the VIV response of smooth and rough surfaced cylinders in the critical and super-critical Reynolds regimes.