scholarly journals Reliability-Based Serviceability Limit State Design of a Jacket Substructure for an Offshore Wind Turbine

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 2751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhua Zhang ◽  
Won-Hee Kang ◽  
Ke Sun ◽  
Fushun Liu

The development of a structurally optimized foundation design has become one of the main research objectives for offshore wind turbines (OWTs). The design process should be carried out in a probabilistic way due to the uncertainties involved, such as using parametric uncertainties regarding material and geometric properties, and model uncertainties in resistance prediction models and regarding environmental loads. Traditional simple deterministic checking procedures do not guarantee an optimized design because the associated uncertainties are not fully considered. In this paper, a reliability analysis framework is proposed to support the optimized design of jacket foundations for OWTs. The reliability analysis mainly considers the serviceability limit state of the structure according to the requirements of the code. The framework consists of two parts: (i) an important parameter identification procedure based on statistical correlation analysis and (ii) a finite element-simulation-based reliability estimation procedure. The procedure is demonstrated through a jacket structure design of a 3 MW OWT. The analysis results show that the statistical correlation analysis can help to identify the parameters necessary for the overall structural performance. The Latin hypercube sampling and the Monte Carlo simulation using FE models effectively and efficiently evaluate the reliability of the structure while not relying on a surrogate limit state function. A comparison between the proposed framework and the deterministic design shows that the framework can help to achieve a better result closer to the target reliability level.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 1521-1535
Author(s):  
Gianluca Zorzi ◽  
Amol Mankar ◽  
Joey Velarde ◽  
John D. Sørensen ◽  
Patrick Arnold ◽  
...  

Abstract. The design of foundations for offshore wind turbines (OWTs) requires the assessment of long-term performance of the soil–structure interaction (SSI), which is subjected to many cyclic loadings. In terms of serviceability limit state (SLS), it has to be ensured that the load on the foundation does not exceed the operational tolerance prescribed by the wind turbine manufacturer throughout its lifetime. This work aims at developing a probabilistic approach along with a reliability framework with emphasis on verifying the SLS criterion in terms of maximum allowable rotation during an extreme cyclic loading event. This reliability framework allows the quantification of uncertainties in soil properties and the constitutive soil model for cyclic loadings and extreme environmental conditions and verifies that the foundation design meets a specific target reliability level. A 3D finite-element (FE) model is used to predict the long-term response of the SSI, accounting for the accumulation of permanent cyclic strain experienced by the soil. The proposed framework was employed for the design of a large-diameter monopile supporting a 10 MW offshore wind turbine.


Author(s):  
Quang A. Mai ◽  
John D. Sørensen ◽  
Philippe Rigo

The operation and maintenance cost of offshore wind turbine substructures contributes significantly in the cost of a kWh. That cost may be lowered by application of reliability- and risk-based maintenance strategies and reliability updating based on inspections performed during the design lifetime. Updating the reliability of a welded joint can theoretically be done using Bayesian updating. However, for tubular joints in offshore wind turbine substructures when considering a two dimensional crack growth and a failure criterion combining brittle fracture and material strength, the updating is quite complex due to the wind turbine loading obtained during operation. This paper solves that updating problem by using the Failure Assessment Diagram as a limit state function. It is discussed how application of the updating procedure can be used for inspection planning for offshore wind turbine substructures, and thus also for reducing the required safety factors at the design stage.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Zorzi ◽  
Amol Mankar ◽  
Joey Velarde ◽  
John D. Sørensen ◽  
Patrick Arnold ◽  
...  

Abstract. The design of foundations for offshore wind turbines (OWT) requires the assessment of the long-term performance of the soil–structure-interaction (SSI) which is subjected to a large number of cyclic loadings. In terms of serviceability limit state (SLS), it has to be ensured that the foundation does not exceed the operational tolerance prescribed by the wind turbine manufacturer throughout its lifetime. This work aims at developing a probabilistic approach along with a reliability framework with emphasis on verifying the SLS criteria in terms of maximum allowable rotation during an extreme cyclic loading event. This reliability framework allows the quantification of uncertainties in soil properties, in the constitutive soil model for cyclic loadings and extreme environmental conditions and verifies that the foundation design meets a specific target reliability level. A 3D finite element (FE) model is used to predict the long-term response of the SSI accounting for the accumulation of permanent cyclic strain experienced by the soil. The proposed framework is employed for the design of a large diameter monopile supporting a 10 MW offshore wind turbine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 589
Author(s):  
Subhamoy Bhattacharya ◽  
Domenico Lombardi ◽  
Sadra Amani ◽  
Muhammad Aleem ◽  
Ganga Prakhya ◽  
...  

Offshore wind turbines are a complex, dynamically sensitive structure due to their irregular mass and stiffness distribution, and complexity of the loading conditions they need to withstand. There are other challenges in particular locations such as typhoons, hurricanes, earthquakes, sea-bed currents, and tsunami. Because offshore wind turbines have stringent Serviceability Limit State (SLS) requirements and need to be installed in variable and often complex ground conditions, their foundation design is challenging. Foundation design must be robust due to the enormous cost of retrofitting in a challenging environment should any problem occur during the design lifetime. Traditionally, engineers use conventional types of foundation systems, such as shallow gravity-based foundations (GBF), suction caissons, or slender piles or monopiles, based on prior experience with designing such foundations for the oil and gas industry. For offshore wind turbines, however, new types of foundations are being considered for which neither prior experience nor guidelines exist. One of the major challenges is to develop a method to de-risk the life cycle of offshore wind turbines in diverse metocean and geological conditions. The paper, therefore, has the following aims: (a) provide an overview of the complexities and the common SLS performance requirements for offshore wind turbine; (b) discuss the use of physical modelling for verification and validation of innovative design concepts, taking into account all possible angles to de-risk the project; and (c) provide examples of applications in scaled model tests.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia J. Sarmiento Nova ◽  
Jaime Gonzalez-Libreros ◽  
Gabriel Sas ◽  
Rafael A. Sanabria Díaz ◽  
Maria C. A. Texeira da Silva ◽  
...  

<p>The Response Surface Method (RSM) has become an essential tool to solve structural reliability problems due to its accuracy, efficacy, and facility for coupling with Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (NLFEA). In this paper, some strategies to improve the RSM efficacy without compromising its accuracy are tested. Initially, each strategy is implemented to assess the safety level of a highly nonlinear explicit limit state function. The strategy with the best results is then identified and used to carry out a reliability analysis of a prestressed concrete bridge, considering the nonlinear material behavior through NLFEA simulation. The calculated value of &#120573; is compared with the target value established in Eurocode for ULS. The results showed how RSM can be a practical methodology and how the improvements presented can reduce the computational cost of a traditional RSM giving a good alternative to simulation methods such as Monte Carlo.</p>


Author(s):  
Zequn Wang ◽  
Mingyang Li

Abstract Conventional uncertainty quantification methods usually lacks the capability of dealing with high-dimensional problems due to the curse of dimensionality. This paper presents a semi-supervised learning framework for dimension reduction and reliability analysis. An autoencoder is first adopted for mapping the high-dimensional space into a low-dimensional latent space, which contains a distinguishable failure surface. Then a deep feedforward neural network (DFN) is utilized to learn the mapping relationship and reconstruct the latent space, while the Gaussian process (GP) modeling technique is used to build the surrogate model of the transformed limit state function. During the training process of the DFN, the discrepancy between the actual and reconstructed latent space is minimized through semi-supervised learning for ensuring the accuracy. Both labeled and unlabeled samples are utilized for defining the loss function of the DFN. Evolutionary algorithm is adopted to train the DFN, then the Monte Carlo simulation method is used for uncertainty quantification and reliability analysis based on the proposed framework. The effectiveness is demonstrated through a mathematical example.


Energies ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 579
Author(s):  
Taimoor Asim ◽  
Sheikh Zahidul Islam ◽  
Arman Hemmati ◽  
Muhammad Saif Ullah Khalid

Offshore wind turbines are becoming increasingly popular due to their higher wind energy harnessing capabilities and lower visual pollution. Researchers around the globe have been reporting significant scientific advancements in offshore wind turbines technology, addressing key issues, such as aerodynamic characteristics of turbine blades, dynamic response of the turbine, structural integrity of the turbine foundation, design of the mooring cables, ground scouring and cost modelling for commercial viability. These investigations range from component-level design and analysis to system-level response and optimization using a multitude of analytical, empirical and numerical techniques. With such wide-ranging studies available in the public domain, there is a need to carry out an extensive yet critical literature review on the recent advancements in offshore wind turbine technology. Offshore wind turbine blades’ aerodynamics and the structural integrity of offshore wind turbines are of particular importance, which can lead towards system’s optimal design and operation, leading to reduced maintenance costs. Thus, in this study, our focus is to highlight key knowledge gaps in the scientific investigations on offshore wind turbines’ aerodynamic and structural response. It is envisaged that this study will pave the way for future concentrated efforts in better understanding the complex behavior of these machines.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-ya Bian ◽  
Jun-jie Zheng ◽  
Rong-Jun Zhang ◽  
Zhi-jun Xu

Author(s):  
Dianyin Hu ◽  
Rongqiao Wang

GH4133B is a nickel-base superalloy which was developed for use in the manufacture of aero-engine turbine disks and other high-temperature components. Since these components are operated at high temperature and under cyclic loading, damage resulting from fatigue-creep interaction is the main factor. The situation is often simulated in laboratories at high temperature low-cycle fatigue. The interactive effect between different loading levels should be considered. The fatigue-creep experiments for alloy GH4133B at 600 Celsius degree have been carried out at continuous cyclic creep (CF) loading to investigate the interaction of creep damage and fatigue damage. Fracture surfaces are examined under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Then a nonlinear fatigue-creep failure criterion function proposed by Hongyin Mao is employed to fit the experimental data. The probabilistic model of GH4133B under CF loading is established based on the deterministic failure function. Firstly, the random variables influencing the fatigue-creep life and values of the distribution parameters are investigated. Then fatigue-creep damage interaction is discussed and a linear damage accumulation rule is considered, according to which the limit state function used to express the probability of failure is proposed. Lastly, reliability analysis under fatigue-creep failure is proceeded by applying analytical and simulation methods. Furthermore, the random variable with low sensitivity index through the sensitivity analysis can be treated as deterministic parameter during the reliability analysis and reliability design in order to improve the computing efficiency.


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