The 12th International Conference on Scour and Erosion (ICSE 2025)

41 / 2025-04-24 12:55:04

Numerical Modeling of Scour Development Around Offshore Gravity Base Foundations Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

As wind energy continues to advance, the need for a comprehensive design approach for offshore wind turbine foundations has become increasingly critical. A key concern for offshore wind foundations (OWFs) is the development of scour around the foundation, particularly in terms of the equilibrium or maximum scour hole depth and its temporal development. While extensive research has been conducted on scour depth around offshore monopile foundations, there is comparatively less literature available on scour around Gravity Base Foundations (GBFs). Given the high costs associated with large-scale experimental studies on GBFs, the development of a reliable numerical model presents a viable alternative.
This study aims to analyze the scour development around GBFs using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In this research, the foundation is subjected exclusively to current loads to predict both the equilibrium scour hole depth and its temporal evolution. Experimental data from previous studies are used to validate the numerical model. The CFD model demonstrates a strong ability to replicate the trend of scour development, fairly predicting both the shape and depth of the scour when compared to experimental results.