SICMOG
Site Characterization and Monopile Installation in Glauconite Soils
Publieke samenvatting / Public summary
Aanleiding
Monopiles are the preferred foundation type currently used by the offshore wind industry across the globe and specifically in The North Sea. Glauconite soils are encountered worldwide, including areas where offshore wind farms are currently being developed such as the southern part of the North Sea. Glauconite soils present a unique risk for monopile installation. To this end, interest in glauconite sand has arisen as offshore wind developers seek to build monopile foundations to support turbines for generating renewable electricity. The uniqueness of glauconite sands relates to the fact that is not technically sand, but rather an agglomerate in pellet form, comprised of clay minerals bound to a granular substrate. Its friability, or susceptibility to crushing, can be higher than many carbonate soils which are notorious for creating construction and engineering challenges in offshore environments. The crushing of glauconite sands changes the behavior of the soil from coarse-grained (i.e. well-drained, frictional) to fine-grained (poorly drained, cohesive). This fundamentally alters the engineering response of the soil, affecting monopile installation.
Doelstelling
This project targets fundamental understanding of pile driving processes in glauconite soils with the objective of minimizing uncertainty in characterization and pile driving predictions in such soils. The research program combines extensive lab testing, in both element and calibration chamber tests, and numerical modelling studies. The outcomes of both experimental and numerical activities will be used to develop and validate a drivability model and constitutive model for pile driving in glauconite sands that can be used in engineering practice.
Korte omschrijving
The limited experience with glauconite soil conditions introduces significant uncertainty in pile-driving predictions for monopiles and on-site characterization of such soils. To address these concerns, a consortium consisting of industry partners and universities is formed. The project team covers expertise across key segments of the offshore wind supply chain and includes marine contractors (Boskalis and Seaway7), offshore foundation installation solutions providers (IQIP), universities (TUDelft, University of Perugia) and research institutes (Deltares).
Resultaat
Ultimately, the results of this project will support more accurate characterization and drivability analysis, and therefore design optimization and cost reduction.
Monopiles are the preferred foundation type currently used by the offshore wind industry across the globe and specifically in The North Sea. Glauconite soils are encountered worldwide, including areas where offshore wind farms are currently being developed such as the southern part of the North Sea. Glauconite soils present a unique risk for monopile installation. To this end, interest in glauconite sand has arisen as offshore wind developers seek to build monopile foundations to support turbines for generating renewable electricity. The uniqueness of glauconite sands relates to the fact that is not technically sand, but rather an agglomerate in pellet form, comprised of clay minerals bound to a granular substrate. Its friability, or susceptibility to crushing, can be higher than many carbonate soils which are notorious for creating construction and engineering challenges in offshore environments. The crushing of glauconite sands changes the behavior of the soil from coarse-grained (i.e. well-drained, frictional) to fine-grained (poorly drained, cohesive). This fundamentally alters the engineering response of the soil, affecting monopile installation.
Doelstelling
This project targets fundamental understanding of pile driving processes in glauconite soils with the objective of minimizing uncertainty in characterization and pile driving predictions in such soils. The research program combines extensive lab testing, in both element and calibration chamber tests, and numerical modelling studies. The outcomes of both experimental and numerical activities will be used to develop and validate a drivability model and constitutive model for pile driving in glauconite sands that can be used in engineering practice.
Korte omschrijving
The limited experience with glauconite soil conditions introduces significant uncertainty in pile-driving predictions for monopiles and on-site characterization of such soils. To address these concerns, a consortium consisting of industry partners and universities is formed. The project team covers expertise across key segments of the offshore wind supply chain and includes marine contractors (Boskalis and Seaway7), offshore foundation installation solutions providers (IQIP), universities (TUDelft, University of Perugia) and research institutes (Deltares).
Resultaat
Ultimately, the results of this project will support more accurate characterization and drivability analysis, and therefore design optimization and cost reduction.