Impact of freeze-thaw cycles on wrapped composite joint durability

An experimental and numerical study

Master Thesis (2024)
Author(s)

J. Kortsmit (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)

Contributor(s)

Marko Pavlovic – Mentor (TU Delft - Steel & Composite Structures)

M. Moreira Arouche – Mentor (TU Delft - Steel & Composite Structures)

Mees Wolters – Mentor (Tree Composites)

Oǧuzhan Copuroglu – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Materials and Environment)

Susana Cabral Fonseca – Graduation committee member (National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC))

Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences
More Info
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Publication Year
2024
Language
English
Graduation Date
26-09-2024
Awarding Institution
Delft University of Technology
Programme
['Civil Engineering | Structural Engineering']
Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences
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Abstract

Climate change and the growing need for energy independence have resulted in a quickly expanding offshore wind energy industry. Foundations of these structures made from welded steel hollow sections are prone to fatigue. The wrapped composite joints omit welds, greatly increasing fatigue life. But is this technology equipped to handle the harsh offshore environment?

This research aims to gain first insight into a subject not studied in the context of the wrapped composite joint before, the effect of freeze-thaw cycles. A broad overview is created by including a vast range of experimental and numerical subjects discussing the external degradation and internal degradation, through (microscopic) surface investigation, gravimetric measurements, quasi-static tensile tests and a numerical evaluation of heat transfer and developing strains on joint geometries.

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File under embargo until 26-09-2026