Offshore Foundations – Certification Experiences

19721212

Abstract:
& @4 B, P" g6 d* F+ N7 _The present paper tries to take stock of the DNV experience with offshore foundations gained by having performed 3rd party Independent Verification and Project Certification of more than 10 currently operating offshore wind farms.
The aim of the paper is to present “Best Practice” advice – as experienced by DNV – on all major disciplines relevant for the structural analysis of offshore foundation for wind turbines. Topics such as soil-foundation interaction, load application, and wind-wave response interaction will be addressed in relation to global and local structural modeling of the foundation design. The discussion will focus on the critical steps pertinent to the design effort as seen by DNV and will strive to offer guidance along the lines of “Lessons Learned” based on the authors more than 5 year combined involvement on the subject.
The principle attention will be on the most common foundation solution consisting of a Monopile foundation with a grouted connection well suited for the deep end of shallow waters. But also Gravity based foundations as well as Jackets for deeper waters will be addressed. The latter based on DNV’s involvement on two such projects.