Model Tests and Numerical Simulations of Grouted Connections in Offshore Wind Turbines Under Low Circumferential Repeated Loads

Background: Grouted connection sections are widely used to connect the support structure of offshore wind turbines to the foundation, and their mechanical performance is crucial to the reliability of the whole wind turbine. In order to find a suitable stress evaluation method for the grouted connection section, finite element simulation analysis is conducted in this paper.Methods: The stress analysis of the grouted connection section under different frequency loads was explored by establishing a scaled-down model and numerical analysis, and the influence of various parameters on the mechanical properties of the connection section was investigated and its engineering applicability was evaluated.Results: The results of scaling tests and numerical analysis showed that the specimens without shear keys in the axial direction had the worst engineering practicality, and the specimens with shear keys in the taper had the best engineering applicability.Conclusions: The results of the reduced-scale tests and numerical analysis can provide a reference for the design of grouted joint sections, and the relationship between them can be applied to the preliminary evaluation of the mechanical properties of grouted joint sections under low circumferential repeated loads.