Session: Model Testing-1

Paper Number: 165415

165415 - Hydrodynamic Load Distribution on Semi-Submersible Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Heave Plates: Experimental and CFD Investigations 

Abstract: 

The design of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) necessitates a thorough understanding of hydrodynamic loads to ensure structural integrity and optimal performance. Heave plates are integral components used to shift the pitch/roll natural periods away from wave excitation frequencies and to damp heave and pitch/roll motions. This study, conducted as part of a Joint Industry Project (JIP) involving Océanide, Bernard Molin, and DORIS Group, focuses on investigating the total pressure load and its distribution on two distinct heave plate designs subjected to forced oscillations and wave loadings.

The project was structured into four Work Packages (WPs). The first phase involved defining the experimental setup, which was crucial for the subsequent basin tests campaign. Conducted in the 'South France - Ocean Basin,' the second phase included extensive physical model testing of various heave plate configurations under forced harmonic motions and wave loadings. A novel measurement method was developed and successfully implemented, proving highly effective in capturing detailed load distributions. The third phase focused on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigations, where CFD models were calibrated against the experimental data to ensure accurate numerical simulations of hydrodynamic behaviors. The final phase synthesized the key findings and methodologies developed throughout the project.

The basin tests revealed complex load distributions on the heave plates, underscoring the intricate nature of hydrodynamic interactions. The innovative measurement technique provided unprecedented insights into local load variations, which are critical for structural design. The CFD analysis demonstrated good agreement with the experimental data, validating the numerical approach and its effectiveness in predicting hydrodynamic behaviors under various conditions.

This comprehensive study integrates experimental and numerical methods to advance the understanding of hydrodynamic load distributions on heave plates. The results contribute significantly to the design and optimization of FOWTs, ensuring enhanced performance and reliability. The developed methodologies and findings provide a robust foundation for future research and practical applications in the offshore wind industry.

Presenting Author: Benjamin Rousse Océanide

Presenting Author Biography: Benjamin Rousse is graduated from Ecole Centrale de Nantes. Since 2007, he works for Océanide on basin tests and hydrodynamic studies. Since 2015, he has participated to the developpment of Océanide for EMR basin tests.

Authors:

Benjamin Rousse Océanide
Vincent Lafon Océanide
Bernard Molin Ecole centrale Méditerranée
Evgeny Andreev Doris Group
Siane Lemoine Doris Group
Marie Féron TotalEnergies