STRUCTURAL OPTIMISATION OF TENSION LEG PLATFORM FOR AN OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE

Wind power is a proven sustainable energy source, with Offshore Wind Turbines (OWTs) offering higher efficiency by exploiting strong offshore winds. Advances in technology now allow Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) to operate in deep waters beyond fixed foundations. This study focuses on the structural optimisation of Tension Leg Platform (TLP)-type FOWTs using Finite Element Methods (FEM). The analysis includes hydrostatic pressure, aerodynamic thrust, turbine weight, and mooring loads, simulated with OpenFAST. A single-objective optimisation algorithm minimises platform mass under stress and buckling constraints. Results show that optimised stiffener placement significantly reduces mass while maintaining structural integrity, offering valuable guidance for future FOWT design and cost reduction.