Evaluation of the Behavior of a Monopile Foundation Subjected to Lateral Loading Using Centrifuge Modeling
Evaluation of the Behavior of a Monopile Foundation Subjected to Lateral Loading Using Centrifuge Modeling
This study investigates the behavior of monopile foundations subjected to lateral loading, with applications in offshore wind turbines. Geotechnical centrifuge tests were conducted at 100g using a 1:100 scale physical model installed in dense sand (DR = 80%). The objective was to generate experimental p-y curves and compare the results with analytical methods commonly used in monopile foundation design. Three monotonic tests were conducted to assess the lateral displacements, the bending moments, and the pile rotation along the embedded length. Based on strain gauge data, fourth-order polynomial equations were fitted to describe the bending moment distribution. Their derivatives enabled the estimation of shear forces and soil lateral reactions. The experimental p-y curves showed good agreement with the model proposed by Klinkvort (2012) but diverged from the API (2021) formulation, which was originally developed for flexible foundations. The results confirm the effectiveness of centrifuge modeling in replicating realistic soil-structure interaction behavior. This research contributes to the enhancement of offshore wind turbine foundation design in Brazil, promoting safer and more efficient solutions aligned with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The methodology adopted can be extended to future studies involving different soil types and loading conditions.
Marcelo Muta Hotta; MARCIO ALMEIDA; Maria Cascao Ferreira De Almeida; Jose Wedney Pereira Gomes; Jose Renato Oliveira
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/ICPMG2026-278