Effect of wave boundary layer on hydrodynamic forces on small diameter pipelines

Effect of wave boundary layer on hydrodynamic forces on small diameter pipelines is speculated in this paper. It is found that use of the recommended calculation methods in DNV-RP-F109 leads to unrealistic predictions of high specific gravity (SG) requirements for small diameter pipelines subject to wave loading. Potential reasons for such high SG requirements under wave loading are speculated based on existing knowledge and experimental evidence, and a way forward is proposed. It is suspected that the unrealistic predictions are because the calculation methods ignore wave boundary layer effects on hydrodynamic forces.