Article,
A reliability-constrained optimisation framework for offshore wind turbine support structures
Contributors
Amirafshari, Peyman
0000-0001-5394-9648
[1]
Affiliations
- [1] Univ Strathclyde, Dept Naval Architecture Ocean & Marine Engn, Glasgow, Scotland [NORA names: United Kingdom; Europe, Non-EU; OECD];
- [2] Tech Univ Denmark, Dept Wind Energy, Roskilde, Denmark [NORA names: DTU Technical University of Denmark; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
- [3] Univ Nottingham, Dept Mech Mat & Mfg Engn, Nottingham, England [NORA names: United Kingdom; Europe, Non-EU; OECD]
Abstract
A new approach that links finite element analysis (FEA) and a genetic algorithm (GA) with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) for the reliability-constrained optimal design of offshore wind turbine (OWT) support structure is presented. This approach has been applied to optimise the NREL 5MW OWT on OC3 support structure. The objective function minimises the weight of the support structure, constrained to design and performance limits, by attaining the desired reliability level. A response analysis of the reference OWT is performed to estimate design loads. Then, deterministic optimisation (DO) is carried out to find the candidate design solutions. After that, a reliability assessment is conducted to apply the target reliability constraint. This study reveals that the design of a monopile support structure is mainly driven by fatigue limit state. Also, there is no guarantee that DO candidate designs always meet the structural reliability target level in all capacities.
