Offshore Wind Monopile Support Structure for Foundation Re-Establishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore wind turbine foundations face challenges with high fatigue-induced stresses and altered seabed load-bearing properties, necessitating a durable and load-bearing foundation system that can extend the operational life and support more powerful turbines.
Innovation Solution
A foundation system combining a monopile anchored in the seabed with a support structure that is slid onto the monopile, guided during installation, and connected using various methods such as grouting, clamping, or spacers to distribute loads effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monopile foundation is used to support offshore wind turbines, then the initial load-bearing capacity is sufficient, but high fatigue-induced stresses and altered seabed load-bearing properties reduce durability over time
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation system is divided into two independent parts: the existing monopile and a new support structure with suction cups. This segmentation allows each component to address specific functional requirements - the monopile provides initial stability while the support structure enhances long-term durability and load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the monopile foundation with an additional support structure featuring suction cups that penetrate the seabed. This merging creates a hybrid foundation system that leverages the advantages of both approaches - the monopile's structural integrity and the suction cups' enhanced anchoring capability - to achieve superior reliability and extended operational life.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operational lifetime is extended or repowering is performed, then more powerful turbines can be installed, but the existing foundation may not have sufficient load-bearing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure with suction cups is designed and positioned in advance to accommodate future repowering scenarios. This preliminary action ensures that when more powerful turbines are installed, the enhanced foundation system is already in place to handle the increased loads, enabling seamless adaptation without requiring additional foundation work.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimensional aspect to the foundation system by introducing suction cups that extend vertically into the seabed. This dimensional enhancement provides additional load-bearing capacity in the vertical direction, enabling the foundation to support heavier turbines during repowering while distributing loads more effectively throughout the seabed.
3Reliability
If a support structure is added to enhance load-bearing capacity, then durability is improved, but the complexity of the foundation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as an intermediary element between the monopile and the seabed. It transfers and distributes loads from the monopile through the suction cups into the seabed, enhancing load-bearing capacity while maintaining a relatively simple structural configuration that integrates seamlessly with the existing foundation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances load-bearing capacity and durability, allowing for extended operational life and efficient repowering of offshore wind turbines by ensuring stable support and load distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a support structure which is slid onto the monopile, guided during installation, and connected using various methods such as grouting, clamping, or spacers to distribute loads effectively
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~12
Figure 13~16
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a foundation system (9, 10, 10', 10'', 10''') for an offshore wind turbine (1, 2), in which method a first construction step comprises pushing a supporting structure (10, 10', 10'', 10''') onto a monopile (9, 9') founded in the seabed (6), and a second construction step comprises founding the supporting structure (10, 10', 10'', 10''') on the seabed (6). The supporting structure can be guided on the monopile and supplement the latter in the action of supporting a wind turbine to be built up.