• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.3C
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• pp.105-111
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• 2012

Bucket foundations, which are used in the foundations of offshore wind turbines, should be able to withstand large amounts of horizontal and moment loads. Tripod bucket foundation, which combines three single buckets, has been used to increase horizontal and moment capacities. This study performed numerical analysis using ABAQUS (2010), to analyze the group effect and the bearing capacity of a tripod bucket in clay. Parametric studies were performed varying the bucket spacing ratio S/D (S=spacing between the centers of the bucket and the tower; D=diameter of the bucket) and depth ratio L/D (L=embedded length of skirt). The applied constitutive models were a linear elastic perfectly plastic model with Tresca yield criteria for normally consolidated clay and an elastic model for buckets. Loading in the vertical, horizontal, and moment directions was simulated with an increase in each movement at a reference point. The bearing behavior and the capacities of a single and a tripod bucket were compared. Capacity evaluation method of the tripod bucket was suggested using the capacity of a single bucket.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.74-85
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• 2024

Offshore wind turbines are supported by various foundations, each with its considerations in design and construction. Gravity, monopile, and suction bucket foundations encounter geotechnical issues, while jacket and tripod foundations face fatigue problems. Considering this, a gravity foundation based on a steel skirt was developed, and a monopile foundation was analyzed for Pile-Soil Interaction using the p-y curve and 3D finite element method (3D FEM). In addition, for suction bucket foundations, the effects of lateral and vertical loads were analyzed using 3D FEM and centrifuge tests. Fatigue analysis for jacket and tripod foundations was conducted using a hotspot stress approach. Some hybrid foundations and shape optimization techniques that change the shape to complement the problems of each foundation described above were assessed. Hybrid foundations could increase lateral resistance compared to existing foundations because of the combined appendages, and optimization techniques could reduce costs by maximizing the efficiency of the structure or by reducing costs and weight. This paper presents the characteristics and research directions of the foundation through various studies on the foundation. In addition, the optimal design method is presented by explaining the problems of the foundation and suggesting ways to supplement them.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1908-1914
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• 2012

As the turbine capacity and the water depth of wind farms are increasing, the construction cost of substructures and foundations for offshore wind turbines is expected to increase. Since the installation of suction bucket foundation is achieved by both self-weight and applied suction, the construction generally does not require heavy equipment for penetration. This study provides an economic analysis on the tripod which have the bucket foundations and compares that the jacket foundation at 50m water depth on sand layer or soft layer. As the strength of the soil and the number of the foundation is increasing, the construction cost of the tripod with the bucket foundations is more economically feasible than the jacket foundation.