Environmental Contour Methods for Long-Term Extreme Response Prediction of Offshore Wind Turbines

Abstract

The long-term responses of offshore wind turbines (OWTs) are critical in the design phase, where precise assessments ensure structural reliability and operational efficiency. The environmental contour method (ECM) enables efficient analysis of design responses by focusing on a selected set of critical environmental conditions that predominantly drive long-term extreme responses. Despite its extensive use in offshore engineering, ECM’s application in the structural design and strength assessment of OWTs remains underexplored. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the utilization of ECM in the context of OWT design, incorporating a bibliometric analysis of publications from the Web of Science to identify research trends and key topics. The analysis highlights diverse approaches for estimating long-term extreme responses and constructing environmental contours using statistical distributions. Additionally, the study explores the application of ECM and its modified versions in the design and strength assessment of OWTs. Challenges and opportunities associated with ECM implementation in OWTs are critically analyzed, providing insights into ECM’s potential for enhancing the efficiency and reliability of OWT structural design.

Keywords

Environmental contour method / Offshore wind turbine / Long-term extreme response / Reliability

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