Tubular based support structures for offshore wind turbines

摘要

Worldwide there is a strong tendency towards power generation by wind, with both on- andrnoffshore equipment. The welded tubular support structures currently in use are based on three design principles,rnmo-nopile, tripod and jacket constructions.The large diameters, the wall thicknesses up to 50 mm, the frameworkrnmass of several hundred tons, the demand of endurance strength and the high job lot of almost identicalrnunits require new solutions for design, assessment and manufacturing.This article presents a number of newrndevelopments for the manufacturers of support structures in the offshore wind industry.