Failure mode risk prioritization for floating wind turbines: An expert-based FMEA framework from IEA wind task 49

Floating wind turbines (FWTs) present unique reliability challenges that require optimized design and risk management strategies. This study develops a structured expert-based Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) framework under IEA Wind Task 49 to identify and prioritize critical failure modes across five subsystems: tower, transition piece, mooring system, dynamic power cable, and floater. By leveraging expert-driven risk evaluation, this approach provides a more comprehensive and practical prioritization of failure modes, addressing key gaps in field failure data. Multidisciplinary experts in offshore engineering, risk management, and structural health monitoring assessed severity, occurrence, and detection ratings, producing Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs) for 129 failure scenarios where the FMEA results are treated probabilistically. Results highlight that fatigue-induced cracks in primary steelwork and weldments are among the highest-priority failure modes, alongside mooring line and dynamic cable failures. This framework supports targeted design improvements, such as weld design and corrosion protection, while suggesting proactive maintenance strategies, such as focused inspections and SHM for high-risk areas, for a more effective resource allocation. Overall, this study provides a foundation for systematic risk management in floating wind, guiding safer and more cost-efficient deployment as the technology scales to commercial farms.