ABSTRACT
In this paper, the impact of forms of anti-collision fender on structural safety of monopile foundation of offshore wind turbine (OWT) subjected to ship collision is investigated. Finite element (FE) models of monopile foundation and service ship are established. The structural responses of the monopile foundation caused by the collision between a ship and an OWT are calculated by FE analysis. The influence of collision velocity on collision force, stress distribution and energy transformation curve of monopile foundation of the OWT is investigated. The impact of different forms of fender, such as cylindrical fender, spherical fender and perforated cylindrical fender, on the structural safety of OWT is then discussed. The discussion and primary results of this study are expected to provide a practical reference for future designs of anti-collision fender for monopile foundation of OWT.
