Research project foundation structural health monitoring (FSHM) 


When it comes to offshore foundations, dynamic behaviour, scouring, corrosion, reduction in grout and foundation integrity over time, can be problematic. OWI-lab has a mutual R&D partnership with Belwind to perform 'foundation asset monitoring', also named SHM (Structural Health Monitoring) in civil engineering . The Belwind wind farm is located in the North Sea on the Bligh Bank, 46 km off the Belgian coast and consists of 55 Vestas V90-3MW wind turbines placed on monopile foundations. OWI-Lab has been monitoring one of these turbines since 2011 and theirefore has access to unique datasets and knowledge about structural monitoring. 

Approach 


The installed foundation monitoring system evaluates several parameters:

  • Loads and displacements in the grouted connection
  • Vibrations levels on tower and foundation in multiple directions
  • Resonance frequencies and damping values of the offshore structure by the use of OMA-techniques
  • Oxygen levels and corrosion rates inside the monopile foundation (in partnership with Zensor)

 

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