TURBINE-FLOATER-TETHER COUPLED DYNAMIC ANALYSIS INCLUDING SECOND-ORDER SUM-FREQUENCY WAVE LOADS FOR A TLP-TYPE FOWT (FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE)

In the present study, a numerical simulation tool has been applied for the time-domain turbine-floater-tether fully-coupled dynamic analysis of a FOWT. The fully coupled dynamic analysis includes aero-blade-tower dynamics and control, mooring dynamics, and platform motions. In particular, the effects of second-order sum-frequency wave excitations on the coupled dynamic analysis are investigated. The fully coupled simulations with full blade operation are compared with those with parked condition (without blade rotation). For this purpose, a mono-column TLP with 5MW turbine in 200m water depth is selected as an example. The time histories and spectra of the FOWT motions and accelerations as well as tether top-tensions are presented for the given random collinear wind-wave condition. The shift of original floater natural frequencies due to the inclusion of tower flexural modes is demonstrated. The increase of aero damping in the case of rotating blades is also explained. The second-order sum-frequency wave loading introduces high-frequency excitations near pitch-roll resonance frequencies or lowest tower flexural modes. Its effects are more clearly seen in the blade-parked condition than the blade-fully-operational condition. The increased high-frequency responses may significantly increase tower-top accelerations and accumulated fatigue.