Mono Pile Research Articles

Evaluation of Seismic Performance of Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations with Slip Joints by Large Shaking Table Tests

AbstractIn Europe, a monopile is the most commonly used foundation type for offshore wind turbines. Existing connections between the monopile (MP) and transition piece (TP) are generally bolts or grout, but another new method is the slip joint. In this method, the joints between the MP and TP are conically shaped and are simply joined together, which is expected to improve workability and reduce maintenance and management costs. In order to apply this structure in Japan, it is necessary to verify its seismic resistance. This paper reports the results of shaking table tests using a scaled specimen to verify the structural safety of the structure against earthquakes.

Centrifuge testing of improved monopile foundation for offshore wind turbines

Large fixed vertical offshore wind turbine (OWT) tower structures are typically used to transfer complex loads to the foundations from a combination of wind, waves, and self-weight. These loads must be accommodated within a very small rotation envelope and natural frequency bands to allow the turbines to operate effectively. These challenging loading conditions and strict operational requirements can lead to extremely costly foundation designs. Several foundation options are available to support these turbines, with monopiles currently accounting for 80% of the installed capacity with routinely used diameters of 5–8 m and depths of penetration of 30–80 m. To limit monopile diameters and penetration depths, an improved monopile design: the ‘hybrid foundation’ comprising a plate and centrally located pile, is proposed as an alternative to monopiles. A series of scaled physical model centrifuge tests were conducted to investigate the benefits of the hybrid foundation system and compare its behavior with the typically used monopiles. This type of foundation system can enhance the performance of an OWT since the turbines are subjected to high lateral loads and overturning moments. Centrifuge modeling has been used to investigate the lateral capacity and stiffness of the foundations under lateral monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. Two models were tested: a standard monopile (MP) and a hybrid foundation (HF). Lateral loads were applied with eccentricity for both models to replicate prototype (field) conditions. Models were tested at 50g in over-consolidated clay beds. These soil samples were prepared using inflight consolidation and subjected to a sand surcharge, to increase the shear strength in the zone of influence of the model foundations. Monotonic lateral loading results indicated that the addition of a plate improves the relative lateral ultimate capacity, whilst enabling a reduction of monopile penetration depth and diameter for similar capacities. Specifically, similar capacity/stiffness was realized for the HF system compared to the MP. One-way cyclic lateral loading indicated both the HF and the MP had a shakedown response under fatigue loading of up to 10000 cycles, which indicates the potential use of this novel system for future developments.

IWindCr field trial and electrochemical analysis for corrosion detection and monitoring offshore wind turbine’s MP-TP steel components

A Proof-of-Concept (POC) low power-low current wireless sensor network (WSN) for corrosion detection and monitoring of offshore wind turbine (OWT)’s component, entitled iWindCr, has been developed and field trialled in one of the OWTs in the UK south region. This paper reports on the setting up and outcomes of this field trial. The trial has successfully demonstrated the working functionality of the WSN by measuring changes of the Open Circuit Potential (OCP) and Zero Resistance Ammeter (ZRA) electrochemical parameters over a period of time. The state of corrosion and estimated life of an M72 galvanised steel stud, part of the Monopile (MP)-transition piece (TP) flanged connection were evaluated using the real-time data from the WSN with reference to the material’s corrosion thresholds from the iWindCr database. The paper details the electrochemical analysis processes in relation to the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Potentiodynamic Polarisation Curve (PPC) in addition to the OCP and ZRA techniques. The electrochemical parameters and corrosion threshold values from seawater immersion tests of the steel alloys SS316L and S355, the typical MP-TP materials are presented.

Experimental investigation into downstream field of a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine supported by a mono pile

A deep insight into wake of a tidal stream turbine can be essential to make tidal stream energy commercially viable. This study is to experimentally investigate downstream field of a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine supported by a mono pile. Two scenarios with and without a rotor are considered and compared with each other in this study. An advanced Acoustic Doppler Velocimeteris employed to measure the time-varying velocities up to eight rotor diameter downstream. Analyses of results show that the flow field within three rotor diameter downstream is strongly influenced by the supporting structures, which lead to asymmetric recovery trend for velocity, turbulence and Reynolds shear stress. Besides, flow characteristics within various lateral distances away from the rotating axis tend to recover in different rates. Both the rotor rotation and supporting structures result in highly anisotropic turbulence in the downstream field. Bed shear stress in the downstream field nearly doubles due to the rotating rotor, although its distribution pattern does not change.

Maintenance intervals for MP-TP bolted connections – A case study

Abstract In offshore windfarms there has recently been an increasing trend in the use of large diameter bolted connections for the connection between the Transition Piece (TP) and the Monopile (MP). The dimensions of such connections cause handling challenges due the size of the bolts, often M72. An cost driver for these connections the need for maintenance: neither the maintenance intervals nor the maintenance scope can be clearly deferred from standards, and industry experience specifically on these large diameter flanges is generally limited. For these offshore installations, maintenance costs and HSE risks can be high due to the difficult accessibility of these bolted connections offshore often in confined spaces. I n addition, maintenance periods should preferably be scheduled in good weather seasons. This paper describes a case study whereby inspection results are used to set the interval to the next inspection with the purpose of minmizing the maintenace costs.

Methodology for Assessment of the Allowable Sea States During Installation of an Offshore Wind Turbine Transition Piece Structure Onto a Monopile Foundation

In this paper, a methodology suitable for assessing the allowable sea states for installation of a transition piece (TP) onto a monopile (MP) foundation with focus on the docking operation is proposed. The TP installation procedure together with numerical analyses is used to identify critical and restricting events and their corresponding limiting parameters. For critical installation phases, existing numerical solutions based on frequency and time domain (TD) analyses of stationary processes are combined to quickly assess characteristic values of dynamic responses of limiting parameters for any given sea state. These results are compared against (nonlinear and nonstationary) time domain simulations of the actual docking operations. It is found that a critical event is the structural damage of the TP's bracket supports due to the potential large impact forces or velocities, and a restricting installation event (not critical) is the unsuccessful mating operation due to large horizontal motions of the TP bottom. By comparing characteristic values of dynamic responses with their allowable limits, the allowable sea states are established. Contact–impact problems are addressed in terms of assumed allowable impact velocities of the colliding objects. A possible automatic motion compensation system and human actions are not modeled. This methodology can also be used in connection with other mating operations such as float-over and topside installation.

Effect of soil-foundation-structure interaction on the seismic response of wind turbines

Abstract Soil-foundation-structure interaction can affect the seismic response of wind turbines. This paper studies the effects of soil-foundation-structure interaction on the seismic response of 65 kW, 1 MW, and 2 MW horizontal-axis wind turbines with truncated cone steel towers. Four types of foundations with frequency-based design were analyzed, including spread foundation, mono pile, pile group with cap, and anchored spread foundation. Soil is modeled both implicitly (subgrade reaction modulus) and explicitly. The finite element model developed using the ANSYS program was first validated using experimental data. Numerical models are then analyzed in both frequency and time domains using the Block Lanczos and generalized HHT-α formulations. Recommendations were given to simplify the soil-foundation-structure interaction analysis of wind turbines subjected to seismic loading.

Parametric FEA modelling of offshore wind turbine support structures: Towards scaling-up and CAPEX reduction

Parametric Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modelling is a powerful design tool often used for offshore wind. It is so effective because key design parameters (KDPs) can be modified directly within the python code, to assess their effect on the structure’s integrity, saving time and resources. A parametric FEA model of offshore wind turbine (OWT) support structures (consisting of monopile (MP), soil-structure interaction, transition piece (TP), grouted connection (GC) and tower) has been developed and validated. Furthermore, the different KDPs that impact on the design and scaling-up of OWT support structures were identified. The aim of the analyses is determining how different geometry variations will affect the structural integrity of the unit and if these could contribute to the turbine’s scale-up by either modifying the structure’s modal properties, improving its structural integrity, or reducing capital expenditure (CAPEX). To do so, three design cases, assessing different KDPs, have been developed and presented. Case A investigated how the TP’s and GC’s length influences the structural integrity. Case B evaluated the effect of size and number of stoppers in the TP, keeping a constant volume of steel; and Case C assessed the structure’s response to scour development. It is expected that this paper will provide useful information in the conceptual design and scale-up of OWT support structures, helping in the understanding of how KDPs can affect not only the structure’s health, but also its CAPEX.

Methodology for assessment of the operational limits and operability of marine operations

This paper deals with a general methodology for assessment of the operational limits and the operability of marine operations during the planning phase with emphasis on offshore wind turbine (OWT) installation activities. A systematic approach based on operational procedures and numerical analyses is used to identify critical events and corresponding response parameters. Identifying them is important for taking mitigation actions by modifying the equipment and procedures. In the proposed methodology, the operational limits are established in terms of allowable limits of sea states. In addition, the operational limits of a complete marine operation are determined by taking into account several activities, their durations, continuity, and sequential execution. This methodology is demonstrated in a case study dealing with installation of an offshore wind turbine monopile (MP) and a transition piece (TP). The developed methodology is generic and applicable to any marine operation for which operational limits need to be established and used on-board as a basis for decision-making towards safe execution of operations.

Assessment of Allowable Sea States During Installation of Offshore Wind Turbine Monopiles With Shallow Penetration in the Seabed

Installation of offshore wind turbines (OWTs) requires careful planning to reduce costs and minimize associated risks. The purpose of this paper is to present a method for assessing the allowable sea states for the initial hammering process (shallow penetrations in the seabed) of a monopile (MP) using a heavy lift floating vessel (HLV) for use in the planning of the operation. This method combines the commonly used installation procedure and the time-domain simulations of the sequential installation activities. The purpose of the time-domain simulation is to quantitatively study the system dynamic responses to identify critical events that may jeopardize the installation and the corresponding limiting response parameters. Based on the allowable limits and the characteristic values of the limiting response parameters, a methodology to find the allowable sea states is proposed. Case studies are presented to show the application of the methodology. The numerical model of the dynamic HLV–MP system includes the coupling between HLV and MP via a gripper device, and soil–MP interaction at different MP penetration depths. It is found that the limiting parameters are the gripper force and the inclination of the MP. The systematic approach proposed herein is general and applies to other marine operations.

Response Analysis of a Nonstationary Lowering Operation for an Offshore Wind Turbine Monopile Substructure

This study addresses numerical modeling and time-domain simulations of the lowering operation for installation of an offshore wind turbine monopile (MP) with a diameter of 5.7 m and examines the nonstationary dynamic responses of the lifting system in irregular waves. Due to the time-varying properties of the system and the resulting nonstationary dynamic responses, numerical simulation of the entire lowering process is challenging to model. For slender structures, strip theory is usually applied to calculate the excitation forces based on Morison's formula with changing draft. However, this method neglects the potential damping of the structure and may overestimate the responses even in relatively long waves. Correct damping is particularly important for the resonance motions of the lifting system. On the other hand, although the traditional panel method takes care of the diffraction and radiation, it is based on steady-state condition and is not valid in the nonstationary situation, as in this case in which the monopile is lowered continuously. Therefore, this paper has two objectives. The first objective is to examine the importance of the diffraction and radiation of the monopile in the current lifting model. The second objective is to develop a new approach to address this behavior more accurately. Based on the strip theory and Morison's formula, the proposed method accounts for the radiation damping of the structure during the lowering process in the time-domain. Comparative studies between different methods are presented, and the differences in response using two types of installation vessel in the numerical model are also investigated.

Fluid‐Structure‐Interaction‐Analysis concerning Damping Features of Viscous Fluids

AbstractThis work deals with Fluid‐Structure‐Interaction (FSI) concerning damping characteristics of viscous liquids, which are investigated to make the offshore structures more secure and efficient. On that account, we modeled a damping element prototype consisting essentially of an elastic cover that is attached to the cylindrical mono pile foundation at the height of waves. Within the framework of FSI, the impact of breaking waves on a three‐dimensional model of a damping element prototype corresponding to [1] is simulated. In order to measure the influence of different liquid properties on the damping of the impact, the calculations are set up using newtonian and non‐newtonian fluids with varying viscosity. For the non‐newtonian investigation verification is carried out with a CFD model. (© 2012 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Flow and bed shear stresses in scour protections around a pile in a current

Transport of bed sediment inside and beneath the scour protection may cause deformation and sinking of the scour protection for pile foundations. This may reduce the stability of the mono pile and change the natural frequency of the dynamic response of an offshore wind turbine installed on it in an unfavourable manner. Using physical models and 3D computational fluid dynamic (CFD) numerical simulations, the velocity and bed shear stresses are investigated in complex scour protections around mono piles in steady current. In the physical model the scour protections consisted of an upper cover layer with uniformly distributed coarse stones and a lower filter layer with finer stones. For the numerical simulations, the Flow-3D software was used. The scour protection layers were simulated with different numerical approaches, namely regularly arranged spheres, porous media, or their combinations (hybrid models). Numerical simulations with one or four layers of cover stones without filter layer were first computed. Three additional simulations were then made for a scour protection with a cover layer and a single filter layer. Finally, a simulation of a full scale foundation and scour protection was made with porous media approach.Based on the physical and numerical results, a method to determine the critical stones size to prevent motion of the base sediment is established and compared to a full scale case with sinking of scour protection (Horns Rev I Offshore Wind Farm, Denmark). It is also found that the CFD simulations are capable of calculating the flow velocities when the scour protection is represented by regular arranged spheres, while the turbulence in general is underestimated. The velocity can also be calculated using porous media flow approach, but the accuracy is not as good as for spheres. The deviation is more severe for more complex scour protections. In general, computational models provide valuable information for the prediction and design of scour protections for offshore wind farms.

FLOW-3D를 이용한 해상풍력발전기초의 세굴 평가

해상풍력발전기초의 국부세굴을 평가하기 위하여 3차원 수치해석인 FLOW-3D를 이용하여 모노파일과 자켓기초에 대해 해석을 수행하였다. 수치해석 결과에 의하면 모노파일과 자켓기초 레그 주위에서 국부적으로 유속이 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며, 그 후면에서는 후류 및 와류로 인하여 유속의 감소가 나타났다. 자켓기초의 경우에는 모노파일에 비해 단일 레그의 직경이 작고, 자켓레그 사이의 간섭효과 및 자켓구조물의 복잡한 형상으로 인하여 모노파일에 비하여 국부적인 유속 증가가 더 크게 나타났으며 세굴심이 더 깊게 형성되는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서, 해상풍력발전 기초의 세굴 평가 및 세굴방지공 설계시 하부구조물의 형상에 대한 고려가 필요한 것으로 판단된다. In order to evaluate the local scour around offsshore wind foundation, mono pile and jacket foundation were simulated by using FLOW-3D. Numerical analysis results show that local increases of velocity around mono pile and jacket foundation was developed but velocity decreases in backward of pile and leg due to the wake vortex was observed. Local increases of velocity around foundation and scouring of jacket is more significant than that of mono pile, since jacket is the complex structure and has the interference effect with legs. Therefore, in order to evaluate the scour and design the scour protection method, the form and shape of substructures of offshore wind should be considered.

Basis of design and numerical modeling of offshore wind turbines

Offshore wind turbines are relatively complex structural and mechanical systems located in a highly demanding environment. In the present paper the fundamental aspects and the major issues related to the design of these special structures are outlined. Particularly, a systemic approach is proposed for a global design of such structures, in order to handle coherently their different parts: the decomposition of these structural systems, the required performance and the acting loads are all considered under this philosophy. According to this strategy, a proper numerical modeling requires the adoption of a suitable technique in order to organize the qualitative and quantitative assessments in various sub-problems, which can be solved by means of sub-models at different levels of detail, for both structural behavior and loads simulation. Specifically, numerical models are developed to assess the safety performances under aerodynamic and hydrodynamic actions. In order to face the problems of the actual design of a wind farm in the Mediterranean Sea, in this paper, three schemes of turbines support structures have been considered and compared: the mono pile, the tripod and the jacket support structure typologies.