π Case Study
Offshore Wind Turbine Transition Piece
Fatigue-driven design of thick-walled RC transition piece exposed to cyclic wave loading and corrosion
ποΈ Project Overview
Monopile-supported 15 MW turbine in North Sea with 30-year design life
π― Challenge
Fatigue-driven design of thick-walled RC transition piece exposed to cyclic wave loading and corrosion
π§ Design Approach
High-performance concrete (HPC) with 12% slag, dual-layer cathodic protection, and fatigue-resistant detailing per EN 1992-1-1 Annex C
π Design Diagram
AI-generated project design illustration
π Key Calculations
Fatigue Stress Range (ΞΟ_s)
ΞΟ_s = Ο_max β Ο_min
Result: 124 MPa
Must remain below 140 MPa for 2Γ10βΆ cycles
Chloride Ingress Time-to-Corrosion
t_corr = (x_c/2)^2 / D_eff
Result: 42 years
Validates 30-year service life with safety margin
π Results
Successfully passed scaled wave basin testing; certified for Class S4 exposure per EN 206π‘ Lessons Learned
- β’Aggregate grading affects chloride diffusion coefficient more than cement type
- β’Embedded reference electrodes must be placed at critical tensile zonesβnot just cover depth
β Key Takeaways
- 1Aggregate grading affects chloride diffusion coefficient more than cement type
- 2Embedded reference electrodes must be placed at critical tensile zonesβnot just cover depth