Calibration and validation of an engineering model for vortex-induced vibration prediction in wind turbine towers

Abstract. The prediction of vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) caused by vortex shedding downstream of wind turbine towers is a complex and challenging engineering problem for wind turbine manufacturers. These vibrations typically occur when the turbine is in parked or idling mode, or during the installation and commissioning phases. The paper reviews the current engineering framework for predicting VIV in wind turbine towers, with a focus on models that can be integrated into comprehensive aeroelastic design tools. It further explores the application of the Hartlen-Currie lift oscillator model as a predictive tool for VIV in tower structures. In the paper, the free parameters of the Hartlen-Currie model are properly calibrated versus experimental results for elastically mounted, rigid untapered cylinders with the aim to capture the vibration amplitudes in the occurrence of lock-in events and the wind velocity at which the onset of lock-in (maximum vibration amplitude) is obtained. Once calibrated, the model is applied to simulate VIV in an elastic, cantilevered cylinder. The results for both simply supported and cantilever configurations are then compared with experimental measurements and predictions from other widely used engineering models in the literature. The governing equations are expressed in a non-dimensional form to facilitate the calibration of the model’s defining parameters. Comparisons with wind tunnel measurements show that the proposed model is capable of successfully predicting the maximum vibration amplitudes and the onset velocity of VIV.