STG-Sprechtag "Einsatz moderner Rechenverfahren zur
Strömungssimulation an maritimen Strukturen"

Wave Induced Fluid-Structure-Interaction Effects on Offshore Wind Turbines in Heavy Weather Conditions

Bettar el Moctar, Jens Ley, Galal Galal, Universität Duisburg-Essen

In the past four decades, nations around the world with wind energy have led the way in the development of offshore wind farms. Offshore wind turbines are subjected to wind as well as wave loading. This combined load must be considered for the assessment of the structural integrity of the entire wind-turbine. Here, it is assumed that the wind turbine in extreme wave conditions is not in operation thus damping effect of turbine blades is negligible in this case. Wind loads acting on the tower are neglected as well. Nonlinear wave loads including hydroelasticity effects are investigated. Numerical co-simulations are conducted coupling full 3D Finite-Element model of the structure with flow simulations based on Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Numerical results are compared with physical model tests results comprising flexible structures.