Articles | Volume 6, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-6-677-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-6-677-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
20 May 2021
Research article |
| 20 May 2021
| 20 May 2021
A fracture mechanics framework for optimising design and inspection of offshore wind turbine support structures against fatigue failure
Peyman Amirafshari
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0LZ, United Kingdom
Feargal Brennan
Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0LZ, United Kingdom
Athanasios Kolios
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0LZ, United Kingdom
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Cited
24 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Review on Artificial Intelligence-aided Life Extension Assessment of Offshore Wind Support Structures B. Yeter et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-022-00298-3
- Estimation of weld defects size distributions, rates and probability of detections in fabrication yards using a Bayesian theorem approach P. Amirafshari & A. Kolios https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2022.106763
- A systematic framework for multidimensional assessment of wake-induced performance heterogeneity in offshore wind farms M. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.128501
- Fatigue Performance Enhancement of Open-Hole Steel Plates Under Alternating Tension–Compression Loading via Hotspot-Targeted CFRP Reinforcement Z. Jian et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16020313
- Implementation of digital twin-enabled virtually monitored data in inspection planning S. Li & F. Brennan https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2024.103903
- Probabilistic failure assessment diagram with reliability update S. Li & F. Brennan https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2025.104702
- On the performance of a repurposed oil and gas platform for offshore wind energy generation D. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2025.104696
- Review and analysis of the failure risk mitigation via monitoring for monopile offshore wind structures L. Tremps et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.05.026
- Structural integrity assessment of fixed support structures for offshore wind turbines: A review B. Yeter & Y. Garbatov https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.110271
- Towards better fatigue predictions in large offshore wind turbines: A review of climate, aero-hydrodynamic, and computational approaches G. Mangia et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joes.2026.02.009
- Design of attitude-adjustable chassis and dynamic stress analysis of key components for crawler combine harvester J. Hu et al. https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2024.1685
- A critical review and analysis of the uncertainties involved in fatigue damage assessment and their impact on decision-making S. Shojaeikhah et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2026.102687
- Fatigue crack propagation and life prediction in offshore steel jackets using multi-fidelity modeling and machine learning A. Al-Hagri et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2025.111800
- Local damage identification of offshore wind turbine towers using a squared strain-mode relative-change indicator: numerical and experimental validation K. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445302.2026.2714243
- A review of artificial intelligence methodologies in marine renewable energy technologies A. Mirzaei et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2026.126810
- A critical review of challenges and opportunities for the design and operation of offshore structures supporting renewable hydrogen production, storage, and transport C. Rodríguez Castillo et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-533-2024
- Inspection and maintenance planning for offshore wind structural components: integrating fatigue failure criteria with Bayesian networks and Markov decision processes N. Hlaing et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2022.2037667
- Effect of scour on the fatigue life of offshore wind turbines and its prevention through passive structural control Y. Cao et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-1089-2024
- Fatigue analysis of offshore steel structures: A systematic review D. Cao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109489
- A cyclic cohesive zone model for predicting hydrogen-assisted fatigue crack initiation in subsea pipeline steels N. Chen & T. Zheng https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2026.112583
- Reliability analysis of fatigue crack growth in shallow shell structures using the Dual Boundary Element Method M. Zhuang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2024.104403
- Proposal for a programme of periodic inspections for preventive maintenance of offshore monopiles K. Vázquez et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.114262
- Non-planar crack propagation prediction under mixed-mode fatigue in steel jacket structures using machine learning A. Al-Hagri et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2026.124833
- Engineering critical assessment (ECA) for monopile foundation of an offshore wind turbine subjected to pitting M. He et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.115400
24 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Review on Artificial Intelligence-aided Life Extension Assessment of Offshore Wind Support Structures B. Yeter et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-022-00298-3
- Estimation of weld defects size distributions, rates and probability of detections in fabrication yards using a Bayesian theorem approach P. Amirafshari & A. Kolios https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2022.106763
- A systematic framework for multidimensional assessment of wake-induced performance heterogeneity in offshore wind farms M. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.128501
- Fatigue Performance Enhancement of Open-Hole Steel Plates Under Alternating Tension–Compression Loading via Hotspot-Targeted CFRP Reinforcement Z. Jian et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16020313
- Implementation of digital twin-enabled virtually monitored data in inspection planning S. Li & F. Brennan https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2024.103903
- Probabilistic failure assessment diagram with reliability update S. Li & F. Brennan https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2025.104702
- On the performance of a repurposed oil and gas platform for offshore wind energy generation D. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2025.104696
- Review and analysis of the failure risk mitigation via monitoring for monopile offshore wind structures L. Tremps et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.05.026
- Structural integrity assessment of fixed support structures for offshore wind turbines: A review B. Yeter & Y. Garbatov https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.110271
- Towards better fatigue predictions in large offshore wind turbines: A review of climate, aero-hydrodynamic, and computational approaches G. Mangia et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joes.2026.02.009
- Design of attitude-adjustable chassis and dynamic stress analysis of key components for crawler combine harvester J. Hu et al. https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2024.1685
- A critical review and analysis of the uncertainties involved in fatigue damage assessment and their impact on decision-making S. Shojaeikhah et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2026.102687
- Fatigue crack propagation and life prediction in offshore steel jackets using multi-fidelity modeling and machine learning A. Al-Hagri et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2025.111800
- Local damage identification of offshore wind turbine towers using a squared strain-mode relative-change indicator: numerical and experimental validation K. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445302.2026.2714243
- A review of artificial intelligence methodologies in marine renewable energy technologies A. Mirzaei et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2026.126810
- A critical review of challenges and opportunities for the design and operation of offshore structures supporting renewable hydrogen production, storage, and transport C. Rodríguez Castillo et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-533-2024
- Inspection and maintenance planning for offshore wind structural components: integrating fatigue failure criteria with Bayesian networks and Markov decision processes N. Hlaing et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2022.2037667
- Effect of scour on the fatigue life of offshore wind turbines and its prevention through passive structural control Y. Cao et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-1089-2024
- Fatigue analysis of offshore steel structures: A systematic review D. Cao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109489
- A cyclic cohesive zone model for predicting hydrogen-assisted fatigue crack initiation in subsea pipeline steels N. Chen & T. Zheng https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2026.112583
- Reliability analysis of fatigue crack growth in shallow shell structures using the Dual Boundary Element Method M. Zhuang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2024.104403
- Proposal for a programme of periodic inspections for preventive maintenance of offshore monopiles K. Vázquez et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.114262
- Non-planar crack propagation prediction under mixed-mode fatigue in steel jacket structures using machine learning A. Al-Hagri et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2026.124833
- Engineering critical assessment (ECA) for monopile foundation of an offshore wind turbine subjected to pitting M. He et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.115400
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 16 Sep 2026
Short summary
One particular problem with structures operating in seas is the so-called fatigue phenomenon. Cyclic loads imposed by waves and winds can cause structural failure after a number of cycles. Traditional methods have some limitations.
This paper presents a developed design framework based on fracture mechanics for offshore wind turbine support structures which enables design engineers to maximise the use of available inspection capabilities and optimise the design and inspection, simultaneously.
One particular problem with structures operating in seas is the so-called fatigue phenomenon....
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