Prediction of Long-Term Deformations of Offshore Wind Power Plant Foundations Using HCA-Based Engineer-Oriented Models

The paper presents three engineer-oriented models based on the high-cycle accumulation (HCA) model of Niemunis et al. (2005), dedicated to the prediction of long-term deformations of offshore wind power plant (OWPP) foundations caused by wind and wave action. A sublayering model for shallow foundations under vertical cyclic loading and two different approaches (a sublayering model and a stiffness-degradation model) for monopile foundations subjected to horizontal cyclic loading are presented. The results of these models are compared to the solution from 2-D or 3-D finite element simulations with the original HCA model. Furthermore, the prediction is confronted with the prognosis of other engineer-oriented models proposed for OWPP foundations in the literature. Finally, a simplified procedure for the determination of the HCA material constants is briefly explained.