Three-dimensional flow around a pipeline span shoulder is simulated using a fractional step finite element method. The Reynolds number, based on the pipe-diameter and the approaching flow velocity, is set at 500 and 5×105to simulate both laminar and turbulent flow. In high Reynolds number case, Smagorinsky SGS closure is used to model the turbulent flows. The flow field visualization by vorticity iso-surfaces shows that a spiral vortex tube is formed around the span shoulder and extends around the span shoulder. The vortex cores defined by the eigenvalues of the symmetric tensor S2+Ω2(S and Ω are respectively the symmetric and antisymmetric parts of the velocity gradient tensor) gives more details of the flow field. It is also found that there are significant bed shear stress concentrations in the span shoulder area. The reasons for the shear stress concentration are discussed.