The canonical scenario of cross-flow vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a circular cylinder in the turbulent regime, which has been studied by several physical experiments in the literature, is reexamined in this study through high-fidelity large-eddy simulations (LES) at a Reynolds number 104. The VIV response (including vibration amplitude and frequency) and hydrodynamic coefficients predicted by the present LES agree with the experimental results better than previous numerical attempts. In addition, several phenomena reported by previous experimental studies are confirmed numerically for the first time. After validating against the experiments, new VIV characteristics and physical mechanisms are explored with confidence. First, a collective analysis on the frequency spectra of the displacement, lift, and velocity signals provides a complete picture of the frequency response of the system. In contrast, the use of a single signal may miss certain aspects of the frequency response, so that caution should be exercised. Second, spanwise correlation of primary vortex shedding is examined, where relatively low correlations in the upper and lower branches are likely because the vortex shedding patterns involve complex vortex generation and interaction. Third, the effect of mass ratio (m*) of the cylinder on the VIV response is analyzed with a range of m* (=1.4–3.4) relevant to cylindrical structures used in offshore engineering (such as subsea pipelines). The variations in the amplitude response, frequency response, and hydrodynamic coefficients with m* and reduced velocity are examined in detail. The present results suggest that a lighter pipeline is more susceptible to the onset of VIV.

This paper presents the results from a prediction event, organized by the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the National Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility (NGCF), and performed as part of the International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics to assess uncertainty in predicting the monotonic and cyclic lateral response of conductors. Geotechnical professionals from around the world were invited to predict the response of a model conductor (a flexible pile) subjected to a series of loading sequences in a centrifuge. A normally consolidated fine-grained soil was used in the tests, which was characterized by soil elements and in-flight T-bar penetrometer testing. While some participants provided accurate predictions, the mean response was an overestimate of the monotonic and cyclic load at the pile head, which was significant for large and very small displacements. An analysis of the submissions is presented to quantify the variability of the predictions received, assess the consequences of each design, and relay the uncertainty associated with engineering judgment in design.