Coupled Aerodynamic and Hydroelastic Analysis of an Offshore Floating Wind Turbine System Under Wind and Wave Loads

A numerical procedure for the fully coupled aerodynamic and hydroelastic time-domain analysis of an offshore floating wind turbine system including rotor blade dynamics, dynamic motions and flexible deflections of the structural system is illustrated. For the aerodynamic analysis of wind turbine system, a design code FAST developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is employed. It is combined with a time-domain hydroelasticity response analysis code ‘Shell-Stress Oriented Dynamic Analysis Code (SSODAC)’ which has been developed by one of the authors. Then, the dynamic coupling between the rotating blades and the structural system under wind and wave loads is taken into account. By using this method, a series of analysis for the hydroelastic response of an offshore large floating structure with two rotors under combined wave and wind loads is performed. The results are compared with those under the waves and those under the winds, respectively, to investigate the coupled effects in terms of stress as well as motions. The coupling effects between the rotor-blades and the motions are observed in some cases. The impact on the structural design of the floating structure, tower and blade is addressed.