Abstract
The results obtained from a field testing campaign on laterally loaded monopiles, conducted at a dense sand site in Dunkirk, northern France are described. These tests formed part of the PISA project on the development of improved design methods for monopile foundations for offshore wind turbines. Results obtained from monotonic loading tests on piles of three different diameters (0·273 m, 0·762 m and 2·0 m) are presented. The piles had length-to-diameter ratios (L/D) of between 3 and 10. The tests consisted principally of the application of monotonic loads, incorporating periods of held constant load to investigate creep effects. The influence of loading rate was also investigated. Data are presented on the overall load–displacement behaviour of each of the test piles. Measured data on bending moments and inclinations induced in the piles are also provided. Inferences are made for the displacements in the embedded length of the piles. These field data will support the development of a new one-dimensional modelling approach for the design of monopile foundations for offshore wind turbines. They also form a unique database of field measurements in a dense sand, from lateral loading of piles at a vertical distance above the ground surface.
Highlights
A study has been completed, employing field testing and three-dimensional (3D) finite-element modelling to develop a new approach for the design of monopile foundations for wind turbine support structures in shallow North Sea waters
This paper provides a detailed description of the results of field tests on reduced-scale monopile foundations, loaded laterally, conducted at Dunkirk, in northern France, as part of the PISA study
Testing was conducted on piles with three different diameters (0·273 m, 0·762 m and 2·0 m) using the test protocols and instrumentation described in the paper by Burd et al (2019)
Summary
A study (referred to as PISA) has been completed, employing field testing and three-dimensional (3D) finite-element modelling to develop a new approach for the design of monopile foundations for wind turbine support structures in shallow North Sea waters. This paper provides a detailed description of the results of field tests on reduced-scale monopile foundations, loaded laterally, conducted at Dunkirk, in northern France, as part of the PISA study. The Dunkirk field test data have been used to support the development of a new design approach (termed the ‘PISA design model’) for offshore monopile design. The development of this design model is beyond the scope of the current paper ( the general principles that have been employed in the development of the design model are outlined in the papers by Byrne et al (2017) and Zdravkovicet al.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call