Abstract
The support structure for an offshore wind turbine is subjected to combined hydrodynamic loads and aerodynamic loads. The tubular joints are the weakest component leading to fatigue failure of the whole structure. Based on the multi-pile foundation structure which is used widely in China, the typical threeplanar tubular Y-joints is selected to study stress concentration factor (SCF). Then, the load types subjected to axial loadings of three-planar tubular Y-joints are determined. The finite element models of three-planar tubular Y-joints are established and used to calculate hot spot stresses. The stress concentration factors along the weld of the three-planar tubular Y-joints under the axial forces are obtained. The effects of geometrical parameters on SCFs are studied.
Highlights
Offshore wind power development is rapidly growing to satisfy the demand for sustainable energy
Fatigue is a significant factor resulting in the failure of the support structure of offshore wind turbines subjected to combined aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loadings
The fatigue design is based on S-N curves, which are obtained from fatigue tests
Summary
Offshore wind power development is rapidly growing to satisfy the demand for sustainable energy. The weld itself and geometrical discontinuity around the tubular joint cause stress concentration, which is a detrimental impact on the fatigue performance of offshore structures. In S-N curves, the number of cycles that a tubular joint can sustain before a fatigue failure is determined by the hot spot stress range. The stress concentration due to the weld itself is included in the S-N curve used, while the stress concentration due to the geometry effect of the actual detail is determined by means of calculation of hot spot stress. Hot spot stresses at failure-critical locations for four types of multi-planar tubular joints such as DK, DKT, X-type are derived, and the effects of planar and non-planar braces are considered by Dong[3]. The stress concentration factors along the weld of the three-planar tubular Y-joints under the axial loads are obtained.
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