Fatigue prediction models of Dynamic Power Cables by laboratory testing and FE analysis

Floating wind turbines are becoming more popular and is likely to be a major source of energy in the future. These floating turbines relies on dynamic subsea power cables for the transportation of electricity which are exposed to fatigue loading. It is desirable to be able to model these power cable for e.g. lifetime predictions. This work focusses on the conductor in the power cable. A FEM model was developed, and reversed bending was simulated. The results were compared to laboratory tests of the same kind and shows that the model overestimates fatigue life. This suggest that the fatigue damage process might be induced by fretting. The study also discusses the influence of mean stress effect and whether fretting is likely to occur based on a simplistic analysis