Development of submarine cable hydrodynamic loads calculation program using MATLAB

Abstract

A MATLAB program was developed to estimate the hydrodynamic forces due to wave and current on an un-trenched submarine cable of diameter 9 in resting at the bottom of a 14-m depth sea, utilizing the Fourier decomposition method. The aim of this part of the research is to provide an accurate estimation of the hydrodynamic forces acting on the cable and to present a comparison between the Morison force model and Fourier decomposition force model. In addition, investigating the methods of fixation for submarine pipes and cables as the commonly used methods is of high cost for both manufacturing and installation and maintenance processes has many drawbacks. This research is concerned with the ability of the cable to be stable on the seabed using its own weight and, if required, estimating extra chain weight to be added helping stabilize the cable on the seabed. A validation of the developed program with UWAHYDRO program developed in the Western Australia University is introduced in this article.