Date of Award
Spring 5-2020
Degree Type
Thesis-Restricted
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Civil Engineering
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Major Professor
Dr. Malay Ghose Hajra
Second Advisor
Dr. Norma Jean Mattei
Third Advisor
Dr. Engin Egeseli
Abstract
Extra-tropical (ETC) and tropical cyclones (TC) pose potential risks to offshore wind farms along the U.S. Atlantic coast, where the offshore wind energy industry is gaining momentum. This research aims to evaluate the stability of large diameter offshore wind turbine monopile foundations under these extreme conditions using the governing industry practice in IEC 61400-3-1. To quantify the risk at U.S. Atlantic coast wind energy areas (WEAs), the ETC and TC impact frequency and intensity are identified using the NHC Historical Hurricane Tracks Archive. Numerical simulations in Plaxis 3D are performed on foundations ranging from 8 to 12 meters in diameter embedded in medium dense sand. Storm conditions correspond to Saffir-Simpson category 1 through 4 wind speeds and associated metocean criteria. A database of foundation mudline rotation and deflection is presented for each storm intensity, turbine size and water depth. The anticipated monopile foundation stability is then predicted for each WEA.
Recommended Citation
Hulliger, Laura, "Response of Large Diameter Offshore Wind Turbine Monopile Foundations to Extreme Event Loading Expected at U.S. Atlantic Coast Wind Energy Areas" (2020). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 2754.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2754
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.