Reliability Updating of Offshore Wind Substructures by Use of Digital Twin Information

Abstract

This paper presents a probabilistic framework for updating the structural reliability of offshore wind turbine substructures based on digital twin information. In particular, the information obtained from digital twins is used to quantify and update the uncertainties associated with the structural dynamics and load modeling parameters in fatigue damage accumulation. The updated uncertainties are included in a probabilistic model for fatigue damage accumulation used to update the structural reliability. The updated reliability can be used as input to optimize decision models for operation and maintenance of existing structures and design of new structures. The framework is exemplified based on two numerical case studies with a representative offshore wind turbine and information acquired from previously established digital twins. In this context, the effect of updating soil stiffness and wave loading, which constitute two highly uncertain and sensitive parameters, is investigated. It is found that updating the soil stiffness significantly affects the reliability of the joints close to the mudline, while updating the wave loading significantly affects the reliability of the joints localized in the splash zone. The increased uncertainty related to virtual sensing, which is employed to update wave loading, reduces structural reliability.

Advancing digital healthcare engineering for aging ships and offshore structures: an in-depth review and feasibility analysis

“…Fang et al (2022) emphasize the necessity of exploring multi-scale and multi-physical field modeling methods, given the large size of ships and offshore structures and the localized nature of damages. A recent illustration of this approach is provided by Augustyn et al (2021), who delved into digital twin modeling and visualization by crafting a simulated numerical model of a jacket support structure. Leveraging advanced modeling techniques for ships and offshore structures, Augustyn et al (2021) achieved remarkable precision in representing structural dynamics.…”

“…A recent illustration of this approach is provided by Augustyn et al (2021), who delved into digital twin modeling and visualization by crafting a simulated numerical model of a jacket support structure. Leveraging advanced modeling techniques for ships and offshore structures, Augustyn et al (2021) achieved remarkable precision in representing structural dynamics. Their meticulous methodology comprised several key steps:…”

“…A recent illustration of this approach is provided by Augustyn et al (2021), who delved into digital twin modeling and visualization by crafting a simulated numerical model of a jacket support structure. Leveraging advanced modeling techniques for ships and offshore structures, Augustyn et al (2021) achieved remarkable precision in representing structural dynamics. Their meticulous methodology comprised several key steps: Adopting Craig-Bampton (Craig and Bampton, 1968) as a reduced model for wave loading. Conducting aeroelastic computations for wind loading. Retrieving the substructure response and extracting pertinent measurements for force recovery, following the guidelines set by Nielsen et al (2016).…”

Applications of Digital Twins in Power Systems: A Perspective

“…The digital twin is applied in this framework to update the structural reliability and quantify uncertainties. A probabilistic method using digital twin is presented in [35] to update the structural reliability of offshore wind turbine structures. By using digital twin information, the uncertainties related to the load modeling parameters in fatigue damage accumulation and structural dynamics can be quantified and updated.…”

Multi-level damage diagnosis on stiffened composite panels based on a damage-uninformative digital twin

“…19,21,23,24,26,[29][30][31] The DT concept has been also used for diagnostic purposes on impact damage identification, 32 while applications are also found in the field of wind energy structures subjected to fatigue loading. 33 A probabilistic DT framework of an offshore wind substructure was proposed by Augustyn et al 34 The structural reliability of the substructure was assessed based on modeling the fatigue damage accumulation including various sources of uncertainty. The concept of DT is also finding applications in the field of marine engineering.…”