Author(s): Zishun Yao; Bruce Melville; Asaad Shamseldin; Dawei Guan
Linked Author(s): Asaad Yahia Shamseldin, Dawei Guan, Bruce W. Melville
Keywords: Offshore wind turbines local scour monopile foundations combined current-wave conditions
Abstract: Local scour around monopile foundations is a significant challenge for offshore wind turbines (OWTs). This study investigates the effects of cyclic lateral vibrations on local scour under combined wave-current conditions. Flume experiments revealed three distinct scour regimes: Regime 1 (low hydrodynamic intensity), Regime 2 (transitional phase), and Regime 3 (high hydrodynamic intensity). In Regime 1, cyclic lateral vibrations increase the equilibrium scour depth compared to static monopiles. In Regime 3, vibrations result in shallower equilibrium scour depths than those of static monopiles under similar hydrodynamic conditions. Regime 2, a transitional phase, is characterized by the combined influence of vibration and hydrodynamic forces, leading to fluctuations in scour depth compared to static monopiles. These findings suggest that traditional scour prediction models may require adjustments to account for vibration effects across different hydrodynamic regimes. This study offers valuable insights for optimizing monopile foundation design in offshore wind farm (OWF) environments.
Year: 2025