PO.

158

Comparisons of wave kinematic models for an

offshore wind turbine mounted on a jacket substructure
Torben J. Larsen, Taeseong Kim, Signe Schler, Henrik Bredmose

Ris National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical University of Denmark (DK)

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the importance of using higher order models for simulation of wave loading of wind turbines placed at intermediate water depths (3050m) using a jacket substructure. We analyze whether non-linear wave loading may lead to ringing, which is a transient higher frequency excitation of structural modes than
seen for linear wave kinematic models. Full interaction between dynamics of the wind turbine and the substructure is included in the study performed for a standstill situation. The
non-linear model used in the study solves the 3D Laplace equation for the velocity potential with nonlinear boundary conditions at the free surface and an impermeability condition
on a variable depth [1], representing state-of-the-art within nonlinear wave modeling.
Ringing as a phenomena
Ringing is a phenomenon occuring when waves excites a dynamic flexible construction as illustrated in Figure 2. Typically this occurs when single large waves pass the
construction causing single large impulse loading exciting both low and high frequent structural vibration. A related term is springing, which is a general increase in dynamic
transients caused by resonance excitation from the general wave energy at the structural frequencies. Both terms are sensitive to the wave load model aplied. Using non-linear
wave theory, the individual wave heights are higher than for linear waves increasing the risk and impact of ringing, but non-linear waves also includes more high frequent
components, which increase the springing affected load level.

Figure 1. Illustration of the 5MW turbine

mounted on a jacket foundation on 50m
water depth.

Figure 2. Ringing may occur when a

single large waves pass the construction
causing a large impulse load.

Figure 3. Iregular linear waves, regular

stream function waves and full nonlinear
irregular waves have been included in the
study.

Figure 4. Selected 5 significant wave

height/length/depth ratios related to the
wave breaking criteria and wave load
application range.

Model Approach
Full interaction between dynamics of the wind turbine and the substructure is included in the study during both stand still and operation.The wave kinematic models are regular
stream function theory [2], irregular linear Airy waves [3] with and without Wheeler extrapolation [4] representing the traditional approach for simulating wave response, and a full
irregular nonlinear solution of the wave potential [1] the latter being the most advanced and enables the calculation of steep irregular wave trains until just below wave
breaking. This is coupled to the aeroelastic code HAWC2 which is based on a multi-body approach combining Timoshenko beam element and applying Morisons approach for
wave loading in form where relative motions are accounted for. The study is performed for the 5MW NREL reference turbine with a jacket type foundation [5, 6] with baseline in a
stand still situation. Aerodynamic contributions are ignored. The simulation has a duration of 30minutes and 3 seeds are used for each case.
Results

Figure 5. A clear influence of the wave load

model
is seen on the tower bottom
bending moment. The most physical
correct non-linear model causes a
significant higher load level

Figure 6. The increased tower load for

non-linear waves is also clearly seen in the
1Hz equivalent fatigue load.

Figure 7. The non-linear waves also

causes sigificant higher maximum loads in
the support piles.

Figure 8. The difference in fatigue load

(m=4) is not so pronounced for the pile
loading. A larger difference was however
seen for larger m values.

Conclusions
The results are two-fold. First conclusion is that ringing is very likely to occur for jacket type foundation on intermediate water depth (30-50m). This will especially increase the
dynamic loads on the lower part of the tower, but transients are also seen in the braces, legs and piles of the substructure. Secondly, non-linear wave models are important for
the prediction of the general load level and cause a higher load level than predicted using linear wave models.
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Engsig-Karup, A.P., Bingham, H.B., Lindberg, O. An efficient flexible-order model for 3D nonlinear water waves. Journal of computational physics 228 (2009) 2100-2118
Chaplin, J.R., Developments of stream-function wave theory. Coastal Engineering , Vol 3, 1979-1980, pages 179-205
Airy G.B. Tides and waves. Encyclopaedia Metropolitana.1841
Wheeler, J.D. (1970), Method for calculating forces produced by irregular waves. Journal of petroleum technology 249, pp 359-367.
Jonkman, J. et al, Definition of a 5-MW Reference Wind Turbine for Offshore System Development, NREL/TP-500-38060, Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, February 2009.
Vorpahl F, Popko W, Kaufer D. Description of a basic model of the "UpWind reference jacket" for code comparison in the OC4 project under IEA Wind Annex 30 Technical report. Frauenhofer university 2011.

EWEA OFFSHORE 2011, 29 November 1 December 2011, Amsterdam, The Netherlands