Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 157-165 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Applied ocean research |
| Volume | 43 |
| Early online date | 26 Sept 2013 |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2013 |
Abstract
Suction buckets are a promising foundation solution for offshore wind energy systems. The bearing behavior of monopod buckets under drained monotonic loading in very dense and medium dense sand is investigated in this study by means of numerical simulation with the finite element method. Special focus is given to the ultimate capacity and the initial stiffness of the bucket-soil foundation system. The numerical model is validated by comparison with field test results. The bearing behavior of the structure is explained through an evaluation of a reference system. It is shown that the bucket experiences a heave during horizontal loading, which leads to the formation of a gap between the bucket lid and the soil with increasing load. At large loads and rotations close to failure of the system there is no contact between lid and soil, and the whole load is transferred to the soil via the bucket skirt. A parametric study shows how the ultimate capacity and initial stiffness of the system depend on the bucket dimensions and loading conditions, i.e. load eccentricity. Normalized equations for ultimate capacity and initial stiffness are derived from the numerical simulation results, which can be used in the scope of a preliminary design for buckets in sand.
Keywords
- Monopod, Numerical simulation, Offshore wind energy converter, Sand, Suction-bucket, Ultimate capacity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)
- Ocean Engineering
Cite this
- Standard
- Harvard
- Apa
- Vancouver
- BibTeX
- RIS
In: Applied ocean research, Vol. 43, 10.2013, p. 157-165.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Load-bearing behavior of suction bucket foundations in sand
AU - Achmus, M.
AU - Thieken, K.
AU - Akdag, C.T.
PY - 2013/10
Y1 - 2013/10
N2 - Suction buckets are a promising foundation solution for offshore wind energy systems. The bearing behavior of monopod buckets under drained monotonic loading in very dense and medium dense sand is investigated in this study by means of numerical simulation with the finite element method. Special focus is given to the ultimate capacity and the initial stiffness of the bucket-soil foundation system. The numerical model is validated by comparison with field test results. The bearing behavior of the structure is explained through an evaluation of a reference system. It is shown that the bucket experiences a heave during horizontal loading, which leads to the formation of a gap between the bucket lid and the soil with increasing load. At large loads and rotations close to failure of the system there is no contact between lid and soil, and the whole load is transferred to the soil via the bucket skirt. A parametric study shows how the ultimate capacity and initial stiffness of the system depend on the bucket dimensions and loading conditions, i.e. load eccentricity. Normalized equations for ultimate capacity and initial stiffness are derived from the numerical simulation results, which can be used in the scope of a preliminary design for buckets in sand.
AB - Suction buckets are a promising foundation solution for offshore wind energy systems. The bearing behavior of monopod buckets under drained monotonic loading in very dense and medium dense sand is investigated in this study by means of numerical simulation with the finite element method. Special focus is given to the ultimate capacity and the initial stiffness of the bucket-soil foundation system. The numerical model is validated by comparison with field test results. The bearing behavior of the structure is explained through an evaluation of a reference system. It is shown that the bucket experiences a heave during horizontal loading, which leads to the formation of a gap between the bucket lid and the soil with increasing load. At large loads and rotations close to failure of the system there is no contact between lid and soil, and the whole load is transferred to the soil via the bucket skirt. A parametric study shows how the ultimate capacity and initial stiffness of the system depend on the bucket dimensions and loading conditions, i.e. load eccentricity. Normalized equations for ultimate capacity and initial stiffness are derived from the numerical simulation results, which can be used in the scope of a preliminary design for buckets in sand.
KW - Monopod
KW - Numerical simulation
KW - Offshore wind energy converter
KW - Sand
KW - Suction-bucket
KW - Ultimate capacity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84884563980&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.apor.2013.09.001
DO - 10.1016/j.apor.2013.09.001
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84884563980
VL - 43
SP - 157
EP - 165
JO - Applied ocean research
JF - Applied ocean research
SN - 0141-1187
ER -