TY - JOUR A1 - Zhang, W.-H. A1 - Qin, J. A1 - Lu, D.-G. A1 - Thöns, Sebastian A1 - Havbro Faber, M. T1 - Vol-informed decision-making for SHM system arrangement N2 - Structural health monitoring systems have been widely implemented to provide real-time continuous data support and to ensure structural safety in the context of structural integrity management. However, the quantification of the potential benefits of structural health monitoring systems has not yet attracted widespread attention. At the same time, there is an urgent need to develop strategies, such as optimizing the monitoring period, monitoring variables, and other factors, to maximize the potential benefits of structural health monitoring systems. Considering the continuity of structural health monitoring information, a framework is developed in this article to support decision-making for structural Health monitoring systems arrangement in the context of structural integrity management, which integrates the concepts of value of information and risk-based inspection planning based on an approach which utilizes a conjugate prior probability distribution for updating of the probabilistic models of structural performances based on structural health Monitoring information. An example considering fatigue degradation of steel structures is investigated to illustrate the application of the proposed framework. The considered example shows that the choice of monitoring variables, the Monitoring period, and the monitoring quality may be consistently optimized by the application of the proposed framework and approach. Finally, discussions and conclusions are provided to clarify the potential benefits of the proposed Framework with a special view to practical applications of structural health monitoring systems. KW - Value of information KW - Structural health monitoring systems arrangement strategy KW - Structural integrity management KW - Rskbased inspection KW - Structural health monitoring information model PY - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1177/1475921720962736 SN - 1475-9217 VL - 21 IS - 1 SP - 37 EP - 58 PB - SAGE Journals CY - USA AN - OPUS4-53064 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hu, Wei-Hua A1 - Thöns, Sebastian A1 - Rohrmann, Rolf A1 - Said, Samir A1 - Rücker, Werner T1 - Vibration-based structural health monitoring of a wind turbine system. Part II: Environmental/operational effects on dynamic properties N2 - The second part of these companion papers mainly researches environmental/operational influences on structural dynamic properties under normal operational conditions during two years, in order to extract a statistical based damage-sensitive indicator for health monitoring of a wind turbine system. The correlation analyses between experimental identified frequencies, damping values as well as mode shapes and environmental/operational factors such as rotation speed of blades, wind speed, pitch angle, temperature and nacelle direction are presented. It is observed that the frequency estimates are influenced by the nacelle position, the activation of rotor, the rotation speed of blades and the wind speed as well as the temperature. Regarding to the damping estimates, they are mainly associated with variation of the aerodynamic damping due to the increasing wind speed. Besides, the resonance phenomenon is also observed in higher modes. The harmonic frequencies due to blades passing by tower are found and the corresponding damping value decreases. Moreover, the mode shapes in some modes are strongly affected by the position of the nacelle. Subsequently, two types of simulated damage including the reduction of stiffness in both the rotor blade and the tubular tower are successfully detected by applying the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based methods to these temperature-sensitive frequency estimates. Comparison of change of the extracted health features indicates that they are more sensitive with the tower damage. KW - Vibration KW - Structural health monitoring KW - Wind turbine KW - Environmental/operational effects KW - Modal properties KW - Principal Component Analysis KW - Novelty analysis KW - Damage detection KW - Sommerfeld effect KW - Automated operational modal analysis KW - Resonance PY - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.12.035 SN - 0141-0296 VL - 89 SP - 273 EP - 290 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Oxford AN - OPUS4-32879 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hu, Wei-Hua A1 - Thöns, Sebastian A1 - Rohrmann, Rolf A1 - Said, Samir A1 - Rücker, Werner T1 - Vibration-based structural health monitoring of a wind turbine system. Part I: Resonance phenomenon N2 - This paper is focused on a resonance phenomenon of a wind turbine system in 5 MW class, on the basis of dynamic signals acquired continuously from the tubular tower under normal operational conditions during two years. Firstly, technique specifications of the wind turbine system are introduced and a finite element model is developed to characterize the structural dynamic properties. The following part describes the continuous dynamic monitoring system integrated with an automated operational modal analysis procedure using the poly-reference Least Squares Complex Frequency domain (p-LSCF) method. Subsequently, variations and mutual relationships of environmental/operational factors such as vibration amplitude, temperature, wind speed, rotation speed of blades, pitch angle and nacelle direction are also presented. Finally, significant resonance is observed due to the fundamental frequency of the tower matching with the harmonic frequency induced by the rotation of three blades. As the rotation speed of rotor approaches to 8 rpm, the vibration amplitude of the tower increases significantly and the corresponding damping value decreases. With the further rising wind velocity, the rotation speed of blades stops increasing and the input energy just contribute to accumulate the vibration amplitude of tower. Such observation indicates the Sommerfeld effect that aggravates the resonance phenomenon. A vibration control device is necessary to minimize the excessive structural responses. A companion paper will further discuss the environmental/operational effects on dynamic properties of the wind turbine system under the operational conditions. KW - Vibration KW - Structural health monitoring KW - Wind turbine KW - Automated operational modal analysis KW - Resonance KW - Sommerfeld effect PY - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.12.034 SN - 0141-0296 VL - 89 SP - 260 EP - 272 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Oxford AN - OPUS4-32878 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Brüske, H. A1 - Thöns, Sebastian T1 - Value of pre‐construction proof loading information for structural design N2 - We introduce a new concept that enables a decision analyst to explore and quantify the benefits of decision alternatives that exceed the scope of a pre‐posterior decision or value of information analysis. This new concept, namely, the expected value of sample information and action analysis, facilitates to examine decision alternatives that become only possible with additional knowledge. The concept is introduced by taking basis in proof load testing as a source of (pre‐)posterior knowledge. Pre‐posterior decision analysis is necessary in order to optimize the structural design through proof loading information. The application of the common value of information Analysis and the new value of information and action analysis are demonstrated in a case study. KW - Value of information and action KW - Pre‐construction proof loading KW - Pre‐posterior decision analysis KW - Structural design optimization PY - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/we.2398 SN - 1095-4244 SP - 1 EP - 17 PB - John Wiley & Sons AN - OPUS4-48804 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Long, Lijia A1 - Alcover, I. F. A1 - Thöns, Sebastian T1 - Utility analysis for SHM durations and service life extension of welds on steel bridge deck N2 - Optimization of the duration of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) campaigns is rarely performed. This article provides a utility-based solution to posteriorly determine: i) optimal monitoring Durations and ii) the extension of the service life of the welds on a steel bridge deck. The approach is Illustrated with a case study focusing on remaining fatigue life estimation of the welds on the orthotropic steel deck of the Great Belt Bridge, in Denmark. The identification of the optimal monitoring duration and the decision about extending the service life of the welds are modelled by maximizing the expected benefits and minimizing the structural risks. The results are a parametric analysis, mainly on the effect of the target probability, benefit, cost of failure, cost of rehabilitation, cost of monitoring and Discount rate on the posterior utilities of monitoring strategies and the choice of service life considering the risk variability and the costs and benefits models. The results show that the decision on short-term monitoring, i.e., 1 week every six months, is overall the most valued SHM strategy. In addition, it is found that the target probability is the most sensitive parameter affecting the optimal SHM Durations and service life extension of the welds. KW - Fatigue KW - Monitoring strategy KW - Orthotropic steel deck KW - Structural health monitoring KW - Utility and decision theory PY - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-521719 SN - 1573-2479 VL - 18 IS - 4 SP - 492 EP - 504 PB - Taylor Francis Online AN - OPUS4-52171 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Thöns, Sebastian A1 - Faber, M.H. A1 - Rücker, Werner T1 - Ultimate limit state model basis for assessment of offshore wind energy converters N2 - This paper establishes the model basis regarding the ultimate limit state consisting of structural, loading, and probabilistic models of the support structure of offshore wind energy converters together with a sensitivity study. The model basis is part of a risk based assessment and monitoring framework and will be applied for establishing the 'as designed and constructed' reliability as prior information for the assessment and as a basis for designing a monitoring system. The model basis is derived considering the constitutive physical equations and the methodology of solving these which then in combination with the ultimate limit state requirements leads to the specific constitutive relations. As a result finite element models based on shell elements incorporating a structural and a loading model are introduced and described in detail. Applying these models the ultimate capacity of the support structure and the tripod structure are determined with a geometrically and materially nonlinear finite element analysis. The observed failure mechanisms are the basis for the definition of the ultimate limit state responses. A probabilistic model accounting for the uncertainties involved is derived on the basis of literature review and measurement data from a prototype Multibrid M5000 support structure. In combination with the developed structural and loading models, sensitivity analyses in regard to the responses are performed to enhance the understanding and to refine the developed models. To this end, as the developed models necessitate substantial numerical efforts for the probabilistic response analysis predetermined designs of numerical experiments are applied for the calculation of the sensitivities using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. With this quantification of the sensitivity of the random variables on the responses including nonlinearity the refinement of the model is performed on a quantitative basis. KW - Condition monitoring KW - Failure analysis KW - Finite element analysis KW - Offshore installations KW - Probability KW - Risk analysis KW - Shells (structures) KW - Structural engineering KW - Wind power KW - Model basis KW - Offshore wind KW - Support structure KW - Sensitivity KW - Ultimate limit state PY - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4004513 SN - 0892-7219 VL - 134 IS - 3 SP - 031904-1 - 031904-9 CY - Fairfield, NJ AN - OPUS4-26358 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rücker, Werner A1 - Lüddecke, Falk A1 - Thöns, Sebastian T1 - Tragverhalten von Offshore Gründungskonstruktionen - Rechnerische und messtechnische Untersuchungen N2 - Dieser Artikel enthält eine Zusammenfassung von Ergebnissen des Forschungsverbundvorhabens 'OGOWIN: Optimierung aufgelöster Gründungsstrukturen für Offshore-Windenergieanlagen hinsichtlich Materialeinsatz, Montageablauf und neuer Fertigungsverfahren'. Die Ergebnisse umfassen (1) eine Untersuchung des dynamischen Verhaltens der verschiedenen Gründungsvarianten Monopile, Tripod und Jacket, (2) die Ermittlung einer Wöhlerlinie für den Grundwerkstoff eines Stahlgussknotens, (3) die Ermittlung der Traglast eines Stahlgussknotens in einem 1:1-Versuch sowie (4) Berechnungen zur Form- und Materialoptimierung. Zur Überwachung der Gebrauchstauglichkeit während des Betriebes wurden relevante Parameter hinsichtlich ihres Einflusses auf die ersten Eigenfrequenzen der o. g. Gründungskonstruktionen rechnerisch untersucht. Untersuchungen der Ermüdungsfestigkeit und die erstmalige experimentelle Ermittlung der Traglast eines Gussknotens tragen zu einem optimierten Entwurf durch genaue Kenntnis des Materialverhaltens und der höchstbeanspruchten Bereiche bei. Darüber hinaus konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine geometrische Optimierung des Stahlgussknotens unter konstruktiven Randbedingungen zu einer Verringerung des Materialaufwandes bzw. zu einer Erhöhung der Traglast führen kann. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This paper contains a summary of the joint research project 'OGOWIN: Optimisation of support structures for offshore wind turbines regarding the material consumption, the construction and production sequence as well as new production methodologies'. The results comprise (1) a modal analyses of various types of offshore wind turbine support structures, (2) the fatigue strength testing of the cast steel material, (3) a large scale ultimate capacity test of a cast steel tube connection and (4) an optimisation of the tube connection aiming at material and stress reduction. The sensitivity of the relevant parameters on the first natural frequencies was quantified and the most influencing parameters were identified. The analyses of the fatigue strength and of the ultimate capacity of the cast steel tube connection support an optimised design by precise knowledge of the failure mechanisms and material behaviour. Moreover, it is shown that optimising the cast steel node can reduce the material use and stress concentration. KW - Gussknoten KW - Ermüdung KW - Traglast KW - Optimierung KW - Cast steel tube connection KW - Fatigue KW - Ultimate capacity KW - Optimisation KW - Meerestechnik KW - Offshore engineering KW - Stahlbau KW - Steel construction KW - Neue Verfahren/Versuchstechnik KW - New Processes/Experimental Techniques PY - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/bate.201200022 SN - 0932-8351 SN - 1437-0999 SN - 0005-6820 SN - 0341-1052 SN - 0932-6359 SN - 0932-8351 VL - 89 IS - 12 SP - 821 EP - 830 PB - Ernst & Sohn CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-27426 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Thöns, Sebastian A1 - Rücker, Werner A1 - Faber, M.H. T1 - Support structure reliability of offshore wind turbines utilizing an adaptive response surface method T2 - OMAE 2010 - 29th International conference on ocean, offshore and arctic engineering CY - Shanghai, China DA - 2010-06-06 PY - 2010 IS - OMAE2010-20546 SP - 1 EP - 10 AN - OPUS4-21666 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rastayesh, S. A1 - Long, Lijia A1 - Sørensen, J. D. A1 - Thöns, Sebastian T1 - Risk Assessment and Value of Action Analysis for Icing Conditions of Wind Turbines Close to Highways N2 - The paper presents research results from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network INFRASTAR in the field of reliability approaches for decision-making for wind turbines and bridges. This paper addresses the application of Bayesian decision analysis for installation of heating systems in wind turbine blades in cases where an ice detection system is already installed in order to allow wind turbines to be placed close to highways. Generally, application of ice detection and heating systems for wind turbines is very relevant in cases where the wind turbines are planned to be placed close to urban areas and highways, where risks need to be considered due to icing events, which may lead to consequences including human fatality, functional disruptions, and/or economic losses. The risk of people being killed in a car passing on highways near a wind turbine due to blades parts or ice pieces being thrown away in cases of overicing is considered in this paper. The probability of being killed per kilometer and per year is considered for three cases: blade parts thrown away as a result of a partial or total failure of a blade, ice thrown away in two cases, i.e., of stopped wind turbines and of wind turbines in operation. Risks due to blade parts being thrown away cannot be avoided, since low strengths of material, maintenance or manufacturing errors, mechanical or electrical failures may result in failure of a blade or blade part. The blade (parts) thrown away from wind turbines in operation imply possible consequences/fatalities for people near the wind turbines, including in areas close to highways. Similar consequences are relevant for ice being thrown away from wind turbine blades during icing situations. In this paper, we examine the question as to whether it is valuable to put a heating System on the blades in addition to ice detection systems. This is especially interesting in countries with limited space for placing wind turbines; in addition, it is considered if higher power production can be obtained due to less downtime if a heating system is installed. KW - Risk assessment KW - Value of action analysis KW - Icing conditions KW - Wind turbine KW - Blade PY - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-487805 VL - 12 IS - 14 SP - 2653-1 EP - 2653-15 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-48780 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Faber, M.H. A1 - Thöns, Sebastian A1 - Narasimhan, H. A1 - Schubert, M. T1 - Risikobasierter Ansatz zur Bewertung der Robustheit von Bauwerken N2 - Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrages ist es, einen Überblick über die aktuellen Entwicklungen im Bereich der Bewertung und der Quantifizierung der Robustheit von Bauwerken zu geben. In diesem Sinne ist eine Zusammenstellung von Ansätzen und Ergebnissen aktueller Veröffentlichungen enthalten. Ein umfassender entscheidungstheoretischer Ansatz für die Berechnung und das Management der Robustheit wird vorgestellt. Dieser beinhaltet die Definition der Robustheit als eine Qualität eines Systems, welches das Bauwerk beinhaltet, d. h. eine Qualität, die auf der Grundlage einer Risikoanalyse bewertet werden kann. Um eine umfassende Risikoanalyse zu ermöglichen, wird ein szenarienbasierter Modellansatz eingeführt, welcher zwei Arten von Konsequenzen im System unterscheidet: direkte Konsequenzen (in Verbindung mit Schäden einzelner Komponenten des Systems) und indirekte Konsequenzen (in Verbindung mit einem Versagen des Systems). Die Definition des Systems spielt deshalb für die Risikoanalyse eine wichtige Rolle, und es wird diskutiert, wie die Robustheit für verschiedene Definitionen zu unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen und Erkenntnissen im Sinne des Managements der Integrität des Bauwerks im gesamten Lebenszyklus unter Berücksichtigung seiner Funktionalität führt. Weiterhin werden wichtige Aspekte der Standardisierung der Robustheitsanalyse, wie auch Anforderungen an die Robustheit, diskutiert und Vorschläge zum Umgang mit diesen Aspekten unterbreitet. Auf der Grundlage der vorgestellten Ansätze zur Berechnung der Robustheit eines Bauwerks wird beschrieben, wie Entscheidungen in Bezug auf den Entwurf, die Zustandsbewertung, auf Inspektionen und Wartung sowie in Bezug auf die Überwachung von Bauwerken, in Hinblick auf das Management der Risiken in allen Phasen des Lebenszyklus, optimiert werden können. KW - Qualität KW - Risikoanalyse KW - Modellansatz KW - Konsequenz KW - Direkt KW - Indirekt KW - Versagen KW - Schaden KW - Lebenszyklus KW - Hängebrücke KW - Quality KW - Risk assessment KW - Model approach KW - Consequence KW - Direct KW - Indirect KW - Failure KW - Damage KW - Life-cycle KW - Suspension bridge KW - Entwurf und Konstruktion KW - Berechnungs- und Bemessungsverfahren KW - Bestandssicherung und Erhaltung PY - 2010 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/stab.201001354 SN - 0038-9145 SN - 1437-1049 SN - 0932-6375 VL - 79 IS - 8 SP - 547 EP - 555 PB - Ernst CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-21862 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -