Numerical prediction of experimentally observed behavior of a scale model of an offshore wind turbine supported by a tension-leg platform

Published: 2013

Author(s):
Prowell, I.
Robertson, A.
Jonkman, J.
Stewart, G.
Goupee, A. J.

Publication Name: Proceedings of the Offshore Technology Conference

Publication URL: https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/57615.pdf

Research Area:
Keywords:
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Abstract:

Realizing the critical importance the role physical experimental tests play in understanding the dynamics of floating offshore wind turbines, the DeepCwind consortium conducted a one-fiftieth-scale model test program where several floating wind platforms were subjected to a variety of wind and wave loading conditions at the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) wave basin. This paper describes the observed behavior of a tension-leg support platform (TLP), one of three platforms tested, and the systematic effort to predict the measured response with the FAST simulation tool using a model primarily based on consensus geometric and mass properties of the test specimen. The initial model was tuned through adjusting damping and stiffness of the platform and tower using free-response test results.