Abstract
A dynamic response of a submarine pipeline buried in a sandy seabed under cyclic loading of water pressure is examined experimentally and theoretically. Characteristics of cyclic hydrodynamic forces acting on the buried pipeline is clarified by small scale laboratory tests, and a floatation process of the buried pipeline is also clarified by the method of distinct element analysis. A parametric study was carried out in order to investigate the influence of burial depth, specific weight of pipeline, permeability of sand bed, and frequency of pressure loading on the floatation of pipe. An analysis of the pipeline stability potential against floatation is presented, in which all the experimental test cases are verified.
