Numerical Modelling of a Floating Wind Turbine Semi-Submersible Platform

Abstract

A detailed study is undertaken of the computational modelling of a sub-platform for floating offshore wind using the software Star-CCM+ with the application of the RANS approach. First, a mathematical introduction to the governing equations is carried out. Then, the computational grid is defined, and the grid-independence of the solution is verified. A time-dependent study is performed with the selected time-step. Finally, two examples of 3D decay tests in heave of the sub-platform without and with moorings are presented, accompanied by a damping factor study, with the aim of providing a better understanding of the hydrodynamic damping of the platform. Throughout the process, three degrees of freedom (DoFs) are locked due to the limitations imposed by the use of a symmetry plane; this implementation allowed us to reduce the computational cost of each simulation by 50%. Therefore, three DoFs (heave, surge and pitch) are considered. The coupling study, adding a mooring system in the decay tests and the regular wave tests, shows good agreement between the experimental and computational results. The first half-period of the simulations presents a greater discrepancy due to the fact that the damping of the platform is lower in the computational simulation. However, this does not imply that the hydrodynamic damping is underestimated but may be directly related to the lock of various DoFs associated with the hydrodynamic damping.