Preliminary Development of a New Concept to Improve the Sustainability of Offshore Foundations

Authors

Hande Gerkus, The University of Texas at Austin
Joseph R. Giampa, University of Rhode Island
Asitha I. Senanayake, The University of Texas at Austin
Ying Lai, The University of Texas at Austin
Yunhan Huang, The University of Texas at Austin
Jose Eugenio Iturriaga Flores, The University of Texas at Austin
Nikolaus B. Breithaupt, University of Rhode Island
Sven Sivarajah, University of Rhode Island
Aaron S. Bradshaw, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Robert B. Gilbert, The University of Texas at Austin

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Date of Original Version

1-1-2016

Abstract

A foundation concept that uses natural forces to install and mobilize the capacity of the foundation is described. Preliminary research and development on an implementation of this concept using a wing-shaped anchor for floating offshore wind turbines has included conducting model tests in clays and sands in the laboratory and developing simplified predictive models. This work indicates that the concept may be feasible, with the ability to embed the anchor several anchor widths during gravity free-fall and several more anchor widths during loading in service. Also, plasticity-based predictive models are able to capture its behavior during model tests.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Geotechnical Special Publication

Volume

2016-January

Issue

270 GSP

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Gerkus, Hande, Joseph R. Giampa, Asitha I. Senanayake, Ying Lai, Yunhan Huang, Jose E. Iturriaga Flores, Nikolaus B. Breithaupt, Sven Sivarajah, Aaron S. Bradshaw, and Robert B. Gilbert. "Preliminary Development of a New Concept to Improve the Sustainability of Offshore Foundations." Geotechnical Special Publication 2016-January, 270 GSP (2016): 459-469. doi: 10.1061/9780784480137.044.