Current steel construction research for offshore wind energy

This report begins with an overview of current and future developments in offshore wind energy. The focus is on steel support structures. The so-called monopiles dominate here. Jacket constructions made of tubular sections are used to a much lesser extent. Due to the high dynamic demands and the simultaneously adverse environmental conditions at sea, steel construction-specific questions arise for research. The Institute of Steel Construction of Leibniz University Hannover has been focussing on these topics for 25 years now. This article addresses three topics typical of steel construction: Connection technology, stability and fatigue. First, it deals with yield point-controlled tightening of prestressed bolted joints with high-strength bolts. Then the non-linear numerical determination the load bearing capacity of shell structures under axial and circumferential pressure, as required for the design of so-called suction buckets, will be reported on. Finally, research is presented considering the quantification of corrosion on fatigue strength.