Iterative Optimization Approach for the Design of Full-Height Lattice Towers for Offshore Wind Turbines

Among several possible support structure types for offshore wind turbines, a full-height lattice tower is one design option. Advantages of this design are the smaller amount of steel used for the structure compared to other concepts, and the possibility to install the whole structure in one operation. Based on the complexity of dynamic loadings on the support structure by wind and wave as well as operational loads, an initial lattice tower design with constant member dimensions over the tower height shows a large optimization potential and can be optimized section by section. This paper presents basic considerations for an iterative optimization approach and identifies sensitivities for the optimization process of a full-height lattice tower. It was found that an analysis with constant member dimensions over the tower height gives an indication about the required dimensions for an optimized design.