The joint project "Solutions for avoiding cable damage in the vicinity of offshore foundation structures, taking into account the fluid-structure-bottom interaction (CableProtect)" is dedicated to the complex interactions between power cable, structure, scour protection and seabed in the area where the cable is connected to the support structure. The reason for this was damage on a significant scale, particularly to the protection system of the underwater cabling. Such damage is due to hydrodynamic processes in the vicinity of the foundation structures. Waves and currents cause movements of the free-hanging cable, which also affect the part of the cable that rests on the scour protection or seabed. Outside the scour protection, sediment redistribution and the formation of edge scours occur, which have a reciprocal influence on the cable movements and lead to positional instabilities. The sub-project "Particle-based analysis of sediment redistribution in the area of the foundation structure and its influence on the cable dynamics (CableProtect-Sediment)" is dedicated to hydrodynamically induced sediment redistribution in the support area of the cable as part of this joint project. With coupled CFD-DEM modeling, an innovative approach is used to observe erosion processes at the micro-level of the grains and thus gain new insights into their mechanisms of action. By coupling with the fluid-structure models of the joint partners, the influences from the oscillating power cable as well as from the foundation structure and scour protection can be modeled under realistic boundary conditions. The aim of this sub-project is to develop scientifically validated and practicable design rules for the geomechanical aspects of the cable connection on the basis of an improved understanding of the sediment redistribution processes and thus contribute to a higher reliability of offshore wind turbines.
Everything at a glance
Funding bodies and cooperation partners
Funding body:
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, 7th Energy Research Program "Innovations for the Energy Transition", funding code 03EE2059B
Project partner:
Development Center for Ship Technology and Transport Systems e.V. (DST)
ESOS Wind GmbH
Associated project partners:
EnBW
Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency
Mibau Holding GmbH
