A Centrifuge-Compatible Impact Hammer for PULSE Pile Driving: Design, Specifications, and Initial Performance in Dense Sand
A Centrifuge-Compatible Impact Hammer for PULSE Pile Driving: Design, Specifications, and Initial Performance in Dense Sand
In recent years, increasingly stringent environmental regulations have driven efforts to reduce noise emissions associated with the dynamic installation of offshore wind foundations. One approach to mitigating noise at the source is to cushion the collision between the drop weight and the anvil during impact hammering. An example of such a technology is PULSE, a commercial pile driving system developed by IQIP. This paper presents the results of a dynamic pile installation experiment conducted at 50 g in the geotechnical centrifuge facility of Delft University of Technology. An electro-mechanical actuator was used to install a 42 mm diameter model pile into dry GEBA sand at a relative density of approximately 80%. The model anvil is fitted with a buffer element manufactured from a synthetic polymer alloy, designed to reduce impact stress and prolong the impact duration. The results demonstrate that pile installation remains inertia-dominated despite the presence of a deformable buffer. A rebound of the drop weight following the primary impact is observed and is attributed to the release of elastic energy stored in the buffer during compression. The electro-mechanical actuation system performs reliably throughout the test, maintaining accurate pile tracking and a consistent blow rate. The study provides insight into the influence of impact cushioning on pile installation behaviour and demonstrates a promising experimental approach for investigating noise mitigation technologies in the geotechnical centrifuge.
T. Quinten; J. van Wijk; K. Gavin; Miguel Angel Cabrera
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Special Session 3: Physical Modelling of Installation of Fixed OWT Foundations
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-296