In the world of offshore wind energy, safety and durability are paramount. A recent study published in the journal ‘Jixie qiangdu’ (translated to ‘Mechanical Strength’) sheds light on how the design of protective devices for offshore wind turbines can be optimized to withstand ship collisions. The research, led by LIU Kunpeng, explores the influence of the hollow ratio—the ratio of the void space to the total volume—on the crashworthiness of protective devices.
Offshore wind farms are often built near busy waterways to facilitate transportation, installation, and maintenance. However, this proximity increases the risk of collisions with ships. To mitigate this risk, protective devices are used to absorb the impact and protect the wind turbine structure. The study simulated the collision of a 5000-ton bow-downward ship with an offshore wind turbine at a speed of 2.0 m/s using advanced software, Ansys/Ls-Dyna.
The research compared the performance of three different materials: Ogden rubber, Mooney-Rivlin rubber, and aluminum foam. The findings revealed that as the hollow ratio increases, the impact duration for aluminum foam protective devices increases, and the contact force decreases. Conversely, rubber materials showed the opposite trend. “As the hollow ratio decreases, the protective device is more similar to a solid tube, with a relatively smaller maximum indentation depth,” noted LIU Kunpeng, the lead author of the study.
From a commercial perspective, these findings present significant opportunities for maritime and offshore wind sectors. By optimizing the hollow ratio and material choice of protective devices, wind farm operators can enhance the safety and longevity of their assets. This can lead to reduced maintenance costs and downtime, ultimately improving the economic viability of offshore wind projects.
Moreover, the insights gained from this research can guide the design and manufacturing of more effective protective devices. This could spur innovation in the maritime industry, with potential applications beyond offshore wind farms. For instance, similar principles could be applied to protect other offshore structures, such as oil rigs and underwater cables, from ship collisions.
In conclusion, the study by LIU Kunpeng and his team highlights the importance of considering the hollow ratio in the design of protective devices for offshore wind turbines. By doing so, the maritime and offshore wind sectors can enhance the safety and efficiency of their operations, paving the way for more sustainable and economically viable offshore energy solutions.