Deformation mechanisms of monopiles under long-term unbalanced cyclic lateral loads
Deformation mechanisms of monopiles under long-term unbalanced cyclic lateral loads
Monopiles are widely used as foundations for offshore wind turbines but are subjected to long-term cyclic lateral loading from wind and waves, which may lead to progressive displacement and stiffness degradation. Understanding the soilpile interaction mechanisms governing this behaviour is critical for reliable serviceability design. This study investigates the deformation mechanisms of monopiles in sand subjected to unbalanced cyclic lateral loading using 1-g model testing. The results show soil flow patterns and shifts in earth pressure around the pile for different loading magnitudes, with a critical loading threshold ratio observed to influence the pile displacement and accumulation rates. Soil pressure measurements reveal characteristic depth-dependent pressure distributions, reflecting the evolving soilpile interaction during cyclic loading. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms governing monopile behaviour under cyclic loads and contribute to improving the long-term performance assessment of offshore wind applications.
Liam Lim Kwong Hung Lo Sang
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Special Session 6: Physical modelling for life-cycle foundation management
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-281