Foundation Types of Fixed Offshore Wind Turbine

Kim, Yun Jae; Choe, Jin-wook; Lim, Jinseok; Choi, Sung Woong

doi:2024.38.2.74

J. Ocean Eng. Technol. > Volume 38(2); 2024 > Article

Review Article

J. Ocean Eng. Technol. 2024;38(2):74-85.
Published online April 4, 2024.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26748/KSOE.2024.041

Foundation Types of Fixed Offshore Wind Turbine

Yun Jae Kim¹

, Jin-wook Choe²

, Jinseok Lim²

, Sung Woong Choi³

¹Master course student, Department of Mechanical System Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, Korea
²Senior researcher, Power Cable Research Center, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Changwon, Korea
³Professor, Department of Mechanical System Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, Korea

Corresponding author: Sung Woong Choi, Tel: +82-55-772-9103, younhulje@gnu.ac.kr

Received December 5, 2023 Revised January 28, 2024 Accepted February 27, 2024

Keywords: Fixed offshore wind, Gravity-based foundation, Monopile, Jacket, Tripod, Suction bucket

Abstract

Offshore wind turbines are supported by various foundations, each with its considerations in design and construction. Gravity, monopile, and suction bucket foundations encounter geotechnical issues, while jacket and tripod foundations face fatigue problems. Considering this, a gravity foundation based on a steel skirt was developed, and a monopile foundation was analyzed for Pile-Soil Interaction using the p–y curve and 3D finite element method (3D FEM). In addition, for suction bucket foundations, the effects of lateral and vertical loads were analyzed using 3D FEM and centrifuge tests. Fatigue analysis for jacket and tripod foundations was conducted using a hotspot stress approach. Some hybrid foundations and shape optimization techniques that change the shape to complement the problems of each foundation described above were assessed. Hybrid foundations could increase lateral resistance compared to existing foundations because of the combined appendages, and optimization techniques could reduce costs by maximizing the efficiency of the structure or by reducing costs and weight. This paper presents the characteristics and research directions of the foundation through various studies on the foundation. In addition, the optimal design method is presented by explaining the problems of the foundation and suggesting ways to supplement them.