Title: Comparison of Fatigue Design Code Requirements for Wind Turbine Foundations

Author(s): Xuan Wang and Shu-jin Fang

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 348

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 145-158

Keywords: Average Sectional Method, Cumulative Damage, Fatigue Design, Finite Element Method, Limit State, Partial Safety Factors, Wind Turbine Foundation

DOI: 10.14359/51732684

Date: 3/1/2021

Abstract:
One of major challenges for the US wind industry is the lack of consistent fatigue design criteria. ASCE/AWEA RP2011 recommends several design codes for fatigue analysis of land-based wind turbine support structures. However, it does not provide discussions on the differences and limitations of these codes. The purpose of this paper is to present our findings on the application of fatigue design codes including Model Code 2010 (MC10), Eurocode 2 (EC2), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), and ACI 215. Comparison of the design results from using these codes/standards are summarized. Due to lack of consistency in the design standards, evaluation results may vary greatly, which can be confusing and inconclusive at times. In addition, this study shows that there will be significant differences on fatigue design adequacy depending on which analysis method is used: the average sectional method or finite element method, the two principal methods used to analyze fatigue. A number of suggestions and critical comments are also provided in this paper for helping development of more consistent fatigue analysis and design criteria for wind turbine foundations.