Numerical and experimental modeling of wave-induced forces on submarine pipeline buried in the soil of different engineering properties

In the present paper, the wave-induced forces on the submarine pipeline buried in porous soil having different properties are studied. The mathematical problem is solved using the higher-order boundary element method, and the numerical results are validated with experimental results obtained through rigorous model tests. Four different types of Kuwaiti marine soil: Al-Khiran, Al-Koot, Sabiya, and Shuaiba are considered in the present study. The effect of burial depth of the submarine pipeline in the soil seabed, incident wave period and wave height, and hydraulic conductivity of the soils on the wave forces acting on the submarine pipeline is analyzed in a detailed manner. The study reveals that for moderate burial depth of the pipeline in the soil bed, the wave force acting on the submarine pipeline can be reduced up to 50% for soil having less hydraulic conductivity. The measured wave forces and numerical predictions are matching well for a wide range of wave, soil and structural parameters.