Date of Award
2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Ocean Engineering
Specialization
Acoustics
Department
Ocean Engineering
First Advisor
James Miller
Abstract
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) pilot project consists of two turbines roughly 40 km off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Water- and seabed-borne acoustic and seismic signals from impact pile driving at CVOW were recorded during the installation of these turbines in May 2020. In-water pressure signals were measured using various methods at multiple ranges. The water depth at the wind turbines and the measurement devices was approximately 26 m. During installation, one of the monopiles utilized a double bubble curtain, while the other monopile did not. This arrangement has allowed for an analysis of the bubble curtain’s noise control effectiveness and properties. Bubble curtains are used to reduce the acoustic propagation of impact pile driving by creating a barrier of bubbles around the source. Analysis of measurements from vertical line arrays concluded that bubble curtains were most effective at frequencies above 200 Hz and can reduce the sound pressure level received outside of the bubble curtain by more than 25 decibels at certain frequencies and depths. A Finite Element Analysis model and a Parabolic Equation model were coupled to create a modeling system that successfully predicted the insertion loss of a bubble curtain at CVOW.
Recommended Citation
Dies, Gavin, "MODELING THE NOISE ATTENUATION EFFECTS OF BUBBLE CURTAINS AT COASTAL VIRGINIA OFFSHORE WIND INSTALLATION" (2025). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2660.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2660