Centrifuge study on effect of installation method on lateral response of monopiles in sand. Issue 1 (10th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fan, Shengsheng; Bienen, Britta; Randolph, Mark F.
• Is Part Of: International journal of physical modelling in geotechnics. Volume 21:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2021-01-10
• Subjects: foundations -- offshore engineering -- piles & piling; Rock mechanics -- Periodicals; Soil mechanics -- Periodicals; Geological modeling -- Periodicals; 624.151011
• DOI: 10.1680/jphmg.19.00013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1346-213X

Abstract

Abstract : Monopiles used as foundations for offshore wind turbines can be installed using different methods including jacking, vibratory driving and impact driving. Significant research efforts have been dedicated to the characterisation of monopile−soil interaction under lateral loading, mainly using p – y curves. There has also been extensive research in quantifying the effect of different installation methods on the axial response using numerical modelling and physical modelling techniques. Little attention has been paid to the effect of the installation method on the subsequent lateral response of a monopile under the in-service condition. In this paper, a purpose-designed apparatus is described that allows in-flight installation using different installation methods followed directly by lateral loading without stopping the centrifuge and thus retaining the installation-induced stress state. Test results from three lateral loading tests are discussed, with the piles either jacked at 1 g and Ng or impact driven at Ng into a dry medium dense sand, allowing the effect of the installation method on the initial stiffness and ultimate capacity to be examined. The successfully conducted tests illustrate the capabilities of the new apparatus for centrifuge testing of laterally loaded driven piles.