Numerical simulations of grouted connections of offshore wind turbines using a damage-plasticity model for grout material

This study employs a damage-plasticity constitutive model to characterize the complex nonlinear mechanical behavior of high-strength grout materials used in offshore wind turbine grouted connections. Integrated with the finite element method within Abaqus/Explicit, the model is utilized to perform detailed three-dimensional numerical simulations investigating the structural response under both axial compression and combined compression-bending loading conditions. The simulation results demonstrate a strong agreement with experimental data, accurately capturing key failure mechanisms, load-displacement responses, and ultimate capacities. Specifically, the model successfully reproduces shear-dominated failure under axial compression and tension-dominated failure under combined bending. The study confirms the efficacy of the implemented damage-plasticity model and validates the capability of the established finite element framework to reliably predict the mechanical performance of grouted connections under various operational loading scenarios.