Title:
Comparison of Fatigue Design Code Requirements for Wind Turbine Foundations
Author(s):
Xuan Wang and Shu-jin Fang
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
348
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
145-158
Keywords:
Average Sectional Method, Cumulative Damage, Fatigue Design, Finite Element Method, Limit State, Partial Safety Factors, Wind Turbine Foundation
DOI:
10.14359/51732684
Date:
3/1/2021
Abstract:
One of major challenges for the US wind industry is the lack of consistent fatigue design criteria.
ASCE/AWEA RP2011 recommends several design codes for fatigue analysis of land-based wind turbine support
structures. However, it does not provide discussions on the differences and limitations of these codes. The purpose of
this paper is to present our findings on the application of fatigue design codes including Model Code 2010 (MC10),
Eurocode 2 (EC2), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), and ACI 215. Comparison of the design results from using these
codes/standards are summarized. Due to lack of consistency in the design standards, evaluation results may vary
greatly, which can be confusing and inconclusive at times. In addition, this study shows that there will be significant
differences on fatigue design adequacy depending on which analysis method is used: the average sectional method or
finite element method, the two principal methods used to analyze fatigue. A number of suggestions and critical
comments are also provided in this paper for helping development of more consistent fatigue analysis and design
criteria for wind turbine foundations.