Effect of the transition piece on the natural frequencies of monopile-supported offshore wind turbines

The lateral natural frequency of an offshore wind turbine (OWT) is a crucial factor to consider in the design of OWT foundations. Eighty percent of currently installed OWTs are mounted on monopile foundations, which are connected to the superstructure via a transition piece (TP). To explore the differences in natural frequencies between grouted connection (GC) and TP-less designs, this study incorporates a transition piece into the calculation model of the OWT system. Based on the Timoshenko beam theory and transfer matrix method, the characteristic equations of the lateral natural frequency of the OWT are derived. The study found that the effect of the transition piece on the natural frequency is strongly influenced by the OWT type and the soil stiffness, and the influence of transition piece on different order natural frequencies is different for the same OWT. For the NREL offshore 5-MW baseline wind turbine, the TP-less model reduces the first natural frequency of the OWT by 1.31 % and elevates the second and third natural frequencies by 11.88 % and 2.72 %, respectively, compared to the GC model. The increase in soil shear wave velocity amplifies the influence of the transition piece on the first and third natural frequencies, while weakening its influence on the second natural frequency. • Timoshenko beam model is used to simulate the vibration of OWTs. • Variable cross-section characteristics of OWTs are considered. • The effect of transition piece on the natural frequency of OWTs is studied. • Effect of shear wave velocity of the soil on the natural frequencies.