Soil parameters for offshore wind farm foundation design: A case study of Zhuanghe wind farm

Abstract

The Zhuanghe wind farm is under development offshore China. The site investigation campaign was completed in 2019. Both monopiles and suction buckets are considered as foundation types, and they are presently in the design phase. Soil testing was carried out at both the HDEC and the NGI laboratories. Soil parameters obtained from the laboratory tests are interpreted and discussed in this paper. Important soil parameters for foundation design, such as static and cyclic shear strengths, shear modulus and thixotropy from the tests on the Zhuanghe soil are compared with available databases in the literature, and soil parameters for foundation design are recommended. The purpose of this study is to provide a realistic reference for research and practice in the offshore wind energy industry offshore China where very few advanced tests for windfarm development are available. • Details of soil conditions and soil parameters for an actual wind farm location offshore China is provided. • Representative soil parameters that can be used for foundation design at the Zhuanghe offshore wind farm site is recommended • Static strength is evaluated based on both laboratory tests and in situ CPTU tests, and a reasonable cone factor is suggested • Shear modulus and thixotropy are recommended based on laboratory tests and discussed according to available database in the literature.