Real-Time Musculoskeletal Risk Assessment Methodology Using Virtual Reality and Motion Capture System for the Ultrasonic Inspection Process of Components for Offshore Wind Farms Foundations

Offshore wind industry is becoming increasingly established in the market, but still struggles to be cost-competitive. In this context, the improvement in the construction and manufacturing of offshore wind turbine support structures is essential to increase the efficiency of the processes. In this work, a simulation model of the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) process for jacket nodes has been developed using Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology (PAUT), which is unique in the world for this kind of elements. This procedure is currently carried out manually, causing a musculoskeletal risk for the operator that needs to be mitigated. Thus, using Process Simulate software and an advanced motion capture system based on virtual reality, a model has been developed to optimise the inspection process in order to reduce risks as much as possible and improve the ergonomics of the process. This real-time analysis and monitoring of the operator's movements is possible thanks to a set of Motion Capture type sensors coupled to it, which will enable a genuine experience in a representative industrial environment, enhancing the human–machine binomial.