Innovative calibration procedure of numerical models for FOWTs: an experimental validation

Abstract Fine tuning of numerical models of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) dynamics is crucial to increase their response accuracy with respect to experimental data but still remains a significant challenge due to the large number of parameters involved. This paper builds on the results from a recent experimental campaign conducted on a 1:96 Froude-scaled model of the DeepCwind semi-submersible platform with a taut mooring system, presenting the development and calibration of a numerical model, focusing on the platform motion response. A two-stage optimization algorithm is employed to estimate linear and quadratic global damping coefficients exclusively using response data from free decay tests. Three operational sea-state conditions and one extreme condition are simulated leveraging the calibrated model, and results compared against experimental findings for validation. This study offers an efficient and widely applicable methodology for enhancing numerical modeling of FOWT systems.