Drag force investigation in the collision between subaqueous mudflows and pipeline

This paper describes an investigation of the events when sub-sea pipeline is impacted by submarine slide. Investigations are carried out by developing the model in the laboratory in the form of a collision between sub-aqueous mudflow with a pipe stem. Gravity flow concepts of fluid mechanics principles and lock-exchange system are adopted to build the laboratory experiment. It is implemented into a set of equipment of rectangular channel to generate the simulation of mudflow in water ambient. A crosswise pipe stem positioned at certain run-out distance is collided by mud flow. Mud model used is slurry of kaolin clay-water mixtures. The collision attributes of the collision event is including velocity, Reynolds number, maximum drag force exerted by mudflow, and drag force coefficient. All are observed based on percentage of kaolin clay content. The series of experiments is representing the estimation of drag forces exerted by muddy submarine slide on pipeline in the prototype condition.