Research Progress on Concrete Floating Offshore Wind Power Platforms

Abstract

Deep-water offshore wind resources are abundant and represent an important direction for the transition in offshore wind power from nearshore fixed-bottom foundations to floating foundations. Compared with steel platforms, concrete floating platforms have potential advantages in terms of material cost, durability, serial production, and life-cycle maintenance. However, they still face challenges related to dynamic-response control, lightweight design, crack resistance, modular construction, and operation and maintenance. This paper reviews the application of concrete in floating offshore wind power platforms. First, the stability mechanisms, structural characteristics, and applicability of semi-submersible, tension-leg, and spar platforms are summarised. Second, the performance characteristics and application potential of reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, ultra-high-performance concrete, FRP bars and composites, and lightweight high-strength concrete are discussed. Third, durability assurance, structural health monitoring, and digital operation and maintenance strategies for concrete platforms under chloride-rich marine environments, fatigue loading, and long-term service conditions are analysed. The review indicates that concrete platforms should not be regarded as a simple material replacement for steel structures. Instead, cost, durability, and dynamic performance should be optimised through integrated material–structure–construction–maintenance design. Future studies should focus on optimised concrete floater configurations for large-capacity turbines, coupled durability–fatigue design, intelligent monitoring, and life-cycle economic evaluation.