On the Numerical Simulations of Drag Forces Exerted by Subaqueous
Mudflow on Pipeline: A Laboratory Experiment Assessment
Zainul Faizien Haza and Indra Sati Hamonangan Harahap
Abstract. The collision between submarine slide and sub-sea pipelines was numerically simulated
using commercial software of CFD. The work was also conducted in order to investigate drag force
generated during collision, which has been observed in the related laboratory experiment.
Rheological data of laboratory experiment was also used as input data of the current CFD
simulation. Slurries of kaolin clay-water mixtures were used as model of submarine sediment. The
simulation model produced the collision event (between mudflow and pipeline), which has similar
with laboratory work in term of sequential views images of head flow impaction and the
propagation trend line of the drag force coefficient values.
Keywords: Submarine slide; Mudflow; Kaolin clay; Lock-exchange; Gravity flow; Drag force
coefficient