Model tests for tilting control of suction bucket foundation for offshore wind turbine with path points

Abstract

In offshore wind farms, tilting control based on a single-basket suction bucket foundation is a significant problem. In a single-basket suction bucket foundation, the tilting control of the foundation is possible by arranging the cells inside and controlling the pressure of each cell. However, the pressure of each cell must be finely controlled. Studies on this topic have been conducted, but no specific tilting control method has been developed. This paper presents experimental model results for tilting control obtained during the installation of a suction bucket foundation consisting of three internal cells. Tilting control was performed by independently controlling the internal pressure of each cell. A 1:100 scale model was used, and the ground condition was sandy. Four cases of tilting control tests for the model foundation were used with multiple combinations of internal positive, negative, or both pressures of each cell. It was found that the tilting control was within 5° during the installation and operation stages. There was a tilting control limit for operation based on the model with only negative pressure; therefore, 5° tilting control was achieved by combining the positive pressure.