Numerical modeling of pile response in soft clay under multidirectional and cyclic loading for floating wind turbines
摘要
Floating wind turbines offer a competitive advantage for harvesting renewable energy, particularly in locations with abundant wind resources. Among the critical components of these systems, anchoring and mooring systems are required to secure the wind turbines in place. Pile anchors are among the anchoring solutions currently available for floating wind turbines. Consequently, this study focuses on the behavior of pile anchors installed in soft clay subjected to cyclic loading, including multidirectional forces. To investigate this, a numerical model was developed via OpenSees and calibrated based on existing centrifuge test data. The results demonstrate that non-symmetrical cyclic loads induce the most significant accumulation of permanent pile displacements compared with two-way cyclic loading. Conversely, load reversals can contribute to a reduction in these displacements. Finally, the use of an axisymmetric anchor configuration appears beneficial for resisting complex loading patterns typical of floating wind turbines, as it can promote a more uniform mobilization of the pile’s holding capacity.