Insights on the design of free-spanning pipelines

The design of free-spanning pipelines is performed with the aim of ensuring their integrity against permanent loads generated by seabed roughness, functional loads induced by internal pressure and temperature, and dynamic loads induced by marine currents and direct wave action. In particular, a load and resistance factored design is applied that focuses on extreme environmental loads, and a fatigue limit state approach is applied as a consequence of free-span dynamics due to vortex shedding-induced vibration and direct wave action. The pipeline free-span scenario can be permanent, when generated by seabed roughness, or characterized by short- to long-term evolution, when generated by seabed mobility and scouring in shallow waters. Free-span analysis is generally a task involving a number of disciplines and should be carried out using a multidisciplinary approach. The paper illustrates various themes related to free-span analysis: (i) free-span scenarios, (ii) characterization of the environment from deep to shallow water related to proper seabed properties, (iii) hydrodynamic load regimes, (iv) pipeline free-span design assessment aiming to reduce overstress and fatigue damage, (v) erodible seabed mobility and local scour, and (vi) some experiences of inspection surveys chosen as representative of a free-spanning pipeline in sandy soils.