To address the low computational efficiency of discrete models in numerical simulations for floating offshore wind turbine concrete foundation design, this study develops an equivalent material model using sectional analysis. The nonlinear moment–curvature relationships of structural members are computed, and equivalent stress–strain curves are derived. The accuracy of the method is validated under hydrostatic pressure via finite element modeling. A failure criterion for the equivalent material is also proposed. Applied to a concrete floating platform, the structure is divided into components with preliminary reinforcement designs. Equivalent models are built to determine failure stresses, and critical wave loads calculated with AQWA are imported to analyze structural stress distribution. Results show strong agreement between equivalent and discrete models under hydrostatic pressure, and the failure-based method enables preliminary safety assessments, offering practical support for engineering design and analysis.
Yang et al. (Sun,) studied this question.