Load extrapolations based on measurements from an offshore wind turbine at alpha ventus

Abstract

Statistical extrapolations of loads can be used to estimate the extreme loads that are supposed to occur on average once in a given return period. Load extrapolations of extreme loads recorded for a period of three years at different measurement positions of an offshore wind turbine at the alpha ventus offshore test field have been performed. The difficulties that arise when using measured instead of simulated extreme loads in order to determine 50-year return loads will be discussed in detail. The main challenge are outliers in the databases that have a significant influence on the extrapolated extreme loads. Results of the short- and longterm extreme load extrapolations, comprising different methods for the extreme load extraction, the choice of the statistical distribution function as well as the fitting method are presented. Generally, load extrapolation with measurement data is possible, but care should be taken in terms of the selection of the database and the choice of the distribution function and fitting method.