ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a generic framework for reliability assessment of Offshore Wind Turbine (OWT) monopiles, considering soil-solid interaction and harsh marine environments and presents the parametric Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model. It provides the implementation of structural reliability assessment. The reliability assessment of OWT monopiles requires a structural model of monopiles to determine the structural responses of the monopile structures subjected to both soil-solid interaction and loads induced by harsh marine environments. A Three-Dimensional (3D) parametric FEA model of OWT monopiles is developed, taking account of soil-soild interaction and stochastic variables. Structural models used for OWT monopiles can be roughly categorised into two groups that is One-Dimensional beam model, in which monopile structures are discretised into a series of beam elements; and 3D FEA model, in which monopile structures are constructed using shell or brick elements. The parametric FEA model enables the stochastic modelling of OWT monopiles with stochastic variables such as loads and material properties.
