FATIGUE ANALYSIS OF A REINFORCEMENT CONCRETE TOWER OF AN OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.317212210012

• Palavras-chave: Wind turbine; fatigue analysis; dynamic offshore analysis; concrete tower.

• Keywords: Wind turbine; fatigue analysis; dynamic offshore analysis; concrete tower.

• Abstract:

  The current research is mainly focused on offshore wind turbines with gravity base foundation, studying the fatigue phenomenon of the structure tower built in reinforcement concrete, which is generally subjected to environmental loads of wave, sea current and wind. The fatigue phenomenon occurs due to the exposure of the structure to cyclic loads, thus, the reinforcement concrete structure, when subjected to environmental loads, can be damaged causing the structure to collapse under stress levels below the maximum project loads. Then, for the structure to withstand the loads imposed during the operational life, it is necessary to carry out fatigue analyzes. The main objective of the research has been to perform a case study, combining environmental loads being applied to a structure of a reinforcement concrete tower of a wind turbine. Currently, there is a search for renewable energy sources that are more attractive in relation to the cost benefit, in this way, the wind has been regarded as one of these sources. Thus, wind turbines have been installed, then it becomes necessary to develop technologies, mathematical models, capable of analyzing the behavior of the structure to allow safe operational activities. For the case study analyzed, first, a global analysis of the system has been performed, using OrcaFlex software, imposing the environmental loads. Subsequently, a local structural analysis has been performed, using ABAQUS Software. In this way, it has been possible to obtain the stresses, which have been used to determine the fatigue life of the tower. With the results obtained it has been possible to conclude that the projected tower can be installed in order to guarantee safe operations at the region of Salvador, Brazil, especially after evaluating the recommended implementations on the structural reinforcement at the base of the wind turbine tower.

• Número de páginas: 25