The Dynamic Response of a Floating Wind Turbine under Collision Load Considering the Coupling of Wind-Wave-Mooring Loads

Abstract

As the number of offshore wind turbines continues to rise and their proximity to navigational routes decreases, the risk of collisions between passing vessels and wind turbines increases, thereby presenting serious threats to the safety of personnel and equipment. Given that collisions between floating wind turbines and vessels entail a complex interplay of wind, wave, and mooring loads, this study established a bidirectional fluid-structure coupling simulation methodology based on Star-CCM+ and ABAQUS. Under the combined influences of wind, wave, and mooring loads, the study investigated the dynamic response of floating wind turbines following bow and side impacts from vessels. Analyses were conducted on the structural damage and deformation of floating wind turbines, the transformation of energy during collision processes, and the resultant motion response of the turbines. A sensitivity analysis was performed on parameters such as collision speed, collision angle, wind speed, and wave height. The findings indicate that the amplitude of pitching and heaving motions of the turbine exceed those observed under conditions devoid of collision loads, with the amplitude of motion intensifying with an increase in these parameters. The turbine’s floating body absorbed a minimal amount of internal energy, leading to minor damage, with the stress generated predominantly localized in the collision area of the floating body. The impact of a side collision from vessels exerted a larger influence on the structural dynamic response of floating wind turbines. The analysis results indicate that even though the offshore wind turbine structure is not critically damaged by ship impact, the equipment inside may still fail to work due to the high value of acceleration induced by ship impact. The research outcomes can benefit the safety design of offshore wind turbines in engineering practice.