Fatigue of improved polyamide mooring ropes for floating wind turbines

Type Article
Date 2020-03
Language English
Author(s) Chevillotte Yoan1, 2, Marco Yann1, Bles Guilhem1, Devos Karel3, Keryer Mathieu4, Arhant MaelORCID2, Davies PeterORCID2, 5
Affiliation(s) 1 : ENSTA Bretagne, Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme, IRDL-UMR CNRS 6027, 29200, Brest, France
2 : IFREMER, Centre Bretagne, Marine Structures Laboratory, 29280, Plouzané, France
3 : Bexco, Hamme, Belgium
4 : Naval Energies, 29803, Brest, France
5 : France Energies Marines, 29280, Plouzané, France
Source Ocean Engineering (0029-8018) (Elsevier BV), 2020-03 , Vol. 199 , P. 107011 (9p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.107011
WOS© Times Cited 17
Keyword(s) Fatigue, Rope, Nylon, Mooring, Water, Floating wind turbine
Abstract

This paper describes a study of the fatigue characterization of polyamide mooring ropes for floating wind turbines. Under some conditions polyester ropes, which are favoured for offshore oil and gas platform station-keeping, are too stiff for wind turbine moorings, and polyamide may be a suitable alternative. While early studies on fatigue of braided nylon ropes showed very short lifetimes some recent results have indicated that it is possible to significantly enhance lifetime by modifying rope construction and improving fibre coatings. In this paper yarn-on-yarn abrasion testing is used first to evaluate a new yarn coating. Significant lifetime enhancement was noted, so fatigue testing of ropes was then performed. Results confirm that excellent fatigue lifetimes can be achieved, superior to those for steel chain. Finally, failed yarn and rope samples were examined by microscopy, in order to improve understanding of the fatigue mechanisms leading to failure.

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