The behavior of a Tension Leg Platform wind turbine subjected to Environmental loads

Abstract

The TLPWT structure was discussed in this thesis, such that an excessive literature review was done to implement the past work done to investigate the loads and design criteria of TLP structures. The environmental conditions subjected to the TLPWT structure was implemented in this thesis and discussed in details to show that there are effective environmental loads on the TLPWT structure as the wind which is the main significant environmental issue as it is the target to be used, as wind kinetic energy is transferred to electrical energy. Also, wave loads generated by wind and other environmental cases are significant for TLP structure, current loads are set to be important as the submerged part of the hull is subjected to these loads. The seismic load is set to be a non-significant load as the TLP structure is floating so that movements that occur in the seabed does not affect the structure due to the flexibility of tendons. Water level loads affect the TLP structure slightly such that its effect may be neglected or taken into consideration by the worst-case scenario, as the change of water level only affects the tension force exerted on the tendons to compensate for the change. Tides have the same effect as water level loads. Ice loads and marine growth are only affecting the TLP hull by extra weights of either ice or marine growth, so these loads are being estimated and taken into consideration. The scour effect may be neglected such that the huge bases of the tendons are set to initial settlement much higher than done by scouring and earthquake, also current speed is almost zero at the seabed leading to the negligible effect of scour.