PORO-FSSI-FOAM model for seafloor liquefaction around a pipeline under combined random wave and current loading

Abstract

In this study, unlike most previous investigations have limited to the regular wave conditions or combined wave and current conditions, a numerical model for seabed response around a pipeline in a trenched layer due to random waves is established. Three different wave spectra including the JONSWAP spectrum, Bretchneider–Mitsuyasu spectrum and Pierson–Moscowitz spectrum are considered in the present model for the simulation of random waves. Numerical examples indicate that the irregular wave-induced pore-water pressure can randomly amplify the upward gradient of the pore-water pressure in the porous seabed, making the backfill sand layer more likely to be liquefied at a deeper depth. It is observed that the upper width of the trench layer becomes larger once the seabed liquefaction occurs, which can effectively prevent the seabed liquefied surface from penetrating into the bottom of the pipeline by increasing the backfill thickness to twice of the pipe diameter. The superimposition of the irregular waves on the following current has more significant effect on the maximum-development of the seabed liquefaction depth, which is particularly obvious when the sand-bed is in the random wave system by using the JONSWAP spectrum.