Bending behavior of grouted connections considering eccentricity errors

The influence of eccentricity errors on the bending behavior of the grouted connections for offshore wind turbine was investigated. Three four-point bending tests were carried out with monotonic loading. And the load-deflection curves and strain distributions were compared during the test. Meanwhile, ABAQUS was used for finite numerical analysis and the rationality of the models were verified by comparing the failure modes and load-displacement curves. The results indicate that the final failure mode of the grouted connection is bending failure with local buckling of sleeve. The radial cracks appear at the end of the grout on the tension sides. An opening gap between the grout and the steel tube was also observed. Furthermore, the parametric analyses were carried out to study parameters, such as the grout strength, yield strength of steel tubes, eccentricity and thickness of sleeve. Both the experimental and the numerical results show that the eccentricity of the specimen has little effect on the bending capacity of the grouted connection. However, the yield strength of steel tube and the thickness of sleeve can significantly affect the load-displacement curve. The increasing of steel yield strength can significantly increase the bending capacity. Whereas, the augment of sleeve thickness can only slightly increase the bending capacity but the failure location is shifted to the pile from the sleeve.