Contribution of the rotational kinematic interaction to the seismic response of monopile-supported offshore wind turbines

Abstract

This paper presents a study on the role of kinematic interaction effects on the seismic response of large monopile-supported offshore wind turbines. For this purpose, a finite element substructuring model is used to analyse the behaviour of three reference wind turbines with rated powers of 5, 10 and 15 MW founded on several soil profiles and subjected to different accelerograms. The foundation response is computed through a continuum model which includes soil–structure interaction. The effects of inertial and kinematic soil–structure interaction on the system seismic response is evaluated also through comparisons with results corresponding to the infinitely rigid base condition. It is found that neglecting kinematic interaction factors could lead to underestimate the seismic response of large monopile-supported offshore wind turbines. The rotational kinematic interaction factor is shown to increase the OWTs seismic response.