Simulation Model of The Collision Event of
Submarine Mudflows Exerting A Horizontal Pipeline
Zainul Faizien Haza, Indra Sati Hamonangan Harahap
Abstract— The collision between submarine slide and sub-sea
pipelines was simulated through laboratory experiment in order
to investigate drag force exerted by mudflow on pipe surface.
Mud model used was slurry of kaolin clay-water mixtures.
Gravity flow concepts of fluid mechanics principles were
implemented by lock-exchange system. It was developed through
the laboratory equipment of rectangular channel to generate the
mudflow in water ambient. A crosswise pipe stem positioned at
certain run-out distance. It was collided by mudflow. The
collision attributes of velocity (u), Reynolds number (Re),
maximum drag force exerted by mudflow (Fdmax) and drag force
coefficient (Cd) were observed based on ratio between water
depth (at pipe position) and pipe diameter, abbreviated as H/d.
Overall, higher H/d ratio generated higher values of collision
attributes. H/d ratio variations had similar constant of Power-law
model expression in Re-Cd relationship. It proved that H/d ratio
had not effect to Cd very much. The current experiment also
generated a high similarity trend line of Re-Cd relationship graph
with the previous study. It indicated that the content of clay
material (i.e. kaolin) play a major role in mudflow movement and
collision, whereas granular materials (used in previous study)
provide an extra density.
Keywords— submarine slide, mudflow, kaolin clay, lockexchange,
gravity flow, drag force coefficient.