This paper establishes the model basis regarding the ultimate limit state consisting of structural, loading, and probabilistic models of the support structure of offshore wind energy converters together with a sensitivity study. The model basis is part of a risk based assessment and monitoring framework and will be applied for establishing the “as designed and constructed” reliability as prior information for the assessment and as a basis for designing a monitoring system. The model basis is derived considering the constitutive physical equations and the methodology of solving these which then in combination with the ultimate limit state requirements leads to the specific constitutive relations. As a result finite element models based on shell elements incorporating a structural and a loading model are introduced and described in detail. Applying these models the ultimate capacity of the support structure and the tripod structure are determined with a geometrically and materially nonlinear finite element analysis. The observed failure mechanisms are the basis for the definition of the ultimate limit state responses. A probabilistic model accounting for the uncertainties involved is derived on the basis of literature review and measurement data from a prototype Multibrid M5000 support structure. In combination with the developed structural and loading models, sensitivity analyses in regard to the responses are performed to enhance the understanding and to refine the developed models. To this end, as the developed models necessitate substantial numerical efforts for the probabilistic response analysis predetermined designs of numerical experiments are applied for the calculation of the sensitivities using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. With this quantification of the sensitivity of the random variables on the responses including nonlinearity the refinement of the model is performed on a quantitative basis.
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August 2012
Ocean Renewable Energy
Ultimate Limit State Model Basis for Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy Converters
S. Thöns,
S. Thöns
Division VII.2: Buildings and Structures
BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing,
Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
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M. H. Faber,
M. H. Faber
DTU Civil Engineering, DTU Technical University of Denmark, Brovej, Building 118, DK - 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
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W. Rücker
W. Rücker
Division VII.2: Buildings and Structures
BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing,
Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
S. Thöns
Division VII.2: Buildings and Structures
BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing,
Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
M. H. Faber
DTU Civil Engineering, DTU Technical University of Denmark, Brovej, Building 118, DK - 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
W. Rücker
Division VII.2: Buildings and Structures
BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing,
Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
J. Offshore Mech. Arct. Eng. Aug 2012, 134(3): 031904 (9 pages)
Published Online: February 22, 2012
Article history
Received:
July 26, 2009
Revised:
January 27, 2011
Online:
February 22, 2012
Published:
February 22, 2012
Citation
Thöns, S., Faber, M. H., and Rücker, W. (February 22, 2012). "Ultimate Limit State Model Basis for Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy Converters." ASME. J. Offshore Mech. Arct. Eng. August 2012; 134(3): 031904. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4004513
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