Behavior of Offshore Wind Turbine Foundation Under Seismic Loading: Numerical Simulations

Abstract

Offshore wind energy has emerged as a pivotal source of renewable energy, driven by the need to address climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The behavior of offshore wind turbine foundations plays a critical role in ensuring the efficiency and durability of these structures in harsh marine environments. The numerical simulations of an offshore wind turbine foundation under seismic loading are presented in this paper, with an emphasis on vertical settlement and horizontal displacement. The dynamic behavior of the foundation is evaluated under different soil properties and caisson geometry using sophisticated finite element modeling. The parametric study shows that increasing the length of suction caisson foundation there is an appreciable amount of reduction in vertical settlement of foundation due deeper embedment of caisson. A deeper embedment provides increased resistance to horizontal displacement because the foundation interacts with more stable soil layers. Because denser sand has a higher unit weight, it resists compression better, which reduces overall soil compression under load and minimizes vertical settling of foundations. Sand unit weight influences an offshore wind turbine caisson foundation’s horizontal displacement by boosting seabed interaction, increasing vertical stress, and possibly offering more resistance because of its higher shear strength. The results highlight the need for strict seismic design standards to guarantee the dependability and security of offshore wind farm foundations in seismically active areas, the paper ultimately contributes to the development of more efficient, sustainable, and resilient offshore wind energy infrastructure. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.