Reliability-based Design Optimization of Offshore Wind Turbine Concrete Structures

Abstract

Structural design optimization of offshore wind turbine support structures can significantly contribute to energy cost reductions. In this paper, an application of reliability-based design optimization is presented for a concrete gravity-based foundation, where an optimal combination of steel reinforcements and prestressing steel is desired. Extreme load distribution is derived based on environmental contour method for a reference offshore site. Illustrative results show that an optimal design can be found that satisfies the required structural reliability levels for all limit states considered with the least amount of material.