CFD Analysis of Fluid Induced Vibrations in Piping Systems

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At DRG, we specialize in advanced simulations that provide critical insights into the behaviour of complex industrial systems. In this project, we performed Large Eddy Simulation (LES) to investigate fluid-induced vibrations (FIV) within critical piping geometries – helping identify potential vibration issues early in the design process. Using OpenFOAM, we modeled flow through challenging sections of the piping layout, focusing on the generation of turbulence and associated pressure fluctuations. A key area of interest was a configuration involving an equal tee followed by a 5D elbow.

Explanation of the animation:
Vorticity Visualization: The animation highlights turbulent structures generated downstream of the discontinuity, emphasizing regions of high rotational flow energy that contribute to pressure pulsations on the pipe walls.

From the LES output, we extracted differential pressure data on the pipe wall surfaces. This data was then transformed into the frequency domain via a Fourier Transform, allowing us to identify dominant excitation frequencies and evaluate their potential for resonant amplification.

For geometries exhibiting high amplitude pressure oscillations, we proceeded with a time history analysis using CAESAR II’s dynamic module. The results confirmed that dynamic stresses remained within code-allowable limits, ensuring the design's structural integrity and mitigating the risk of fatigue-related failures.

Why It Matters:
This type of CFD-driven assessment provides invaluable predictive insight, enabling smarter design decisions and reducing the risk of costly retrofits or operational issues.


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