Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the Wave Loading on a Three-Legged Offshore Wind Turbine Jacket Platform

The purpose of this work is to examine a three-legged jacket tower support system subjected to wave loading. To this end, linear as well as nonlinear wave scenarios are investigated. The structure was designed for offshore wind turbines installed in intermediate water depths. The phenomenon of the wave-structure interaction is examined experimentally with a 1:18 scaled model as well as numerically with the use of Finite Element Model (FEM). The structural calculations were performed using the structural analysis software SAP2000, which was enhanced by a special programming interface that was developed to calculate the wave loading and to directly apply the wave loads on the structural members. The FEM model in combination with the key parameters that are taken into account, provides a good correlation with the experimental results. The wave theories of Airy and Stokes 5th are employed for the calculation of the wave particle kinematics. The resulting wave forces are examined both in the frequency and in the time domain.