Non-linear response analysis of jacket supported offshore wind turbine under seismic loads using Hilbert-Huang transform

The present work studies the performance of an offshore wind turbine system in an earthquake coupled with wave and wind loading. The NREL 5 MW offshore wind turbine, supported on the OC4 jacket [14], has been analysed within a finite element framework. A coupled model of hydrodynamics and soil-structure interaction has been implemented. The structure-foundation system is analysed under earthquakes recorded close to offshore waters and at sites with shear-wave velocities, classified under Site-Class D or Site-Class E as per API RP: 2EQ [8]. The soil conditions emulate characteristics of a prospective offshore wind turbine site along the west coast of India, which falls within the Site-Class D classification mentioned above. The geotechnical modelling is done as per the soil curves prescribed by the non-linear Winkler springs along the pile's length. The complete analysis has been processed in a finite-element framework through the commercial program USFOS [16]. The Hilbert-Huang transform [29] of the tower-responses suggests the increased vulnerability to the resonance phenomenon with 1P and 3P loading. It also suggests an involvement of higher modes in the tower-response. The change in the frequency of the structure-foundation system during and post-earthquake has also been studied.