Simplified model to calculate the envelopes of bending moments along offshore wind turbines on monopiles

Abstract

Against the high computational costs necessary to solve the soil-structure interaction problems rigorously, a simplified model applied to offshore wind turbines on monopiles is proposed. The Bernoulli beam is used in this model and the interaction with the soil is represented by the Winkler model. The proposed model is used to calculate the envelopes of bending moments on commercial wind turbines with known properties against seismic forces, being the results contrasted with rigorous methods. The obtained results allow analysing three different terms: a) From the structure (which is above the soil), the effects of the foundation on the response (soilstructure interaction effects). b) From the foundation, the effects of the structure on the response. c) From the soil, the effects of the variable profile on the response.