Interface Testing of North Sea Bedrock for Offshore Wind Applications
Interface Testing of North Sea Bedrock for Offshore Wind Applications
Several North Sea sites exhibit potential for offshore wind development, but geological conditions at some locations pose challenges for the design and installation of pile foundations (monopiles or jackets). These foundations are influenced by complex load conditions, with shear behaviour at the soil-structure interface being particularly important, considering that shaft friction contributes significantly to foundation stiffness and load capacity. This paper presents an experimental study on the shear resistance of rock-steel interfaces, aimed at informing offshore pile design. Tests were conducted on weak sedimentary rocks (primarily mudstones) from the UK sector of the North Sea, whereas the steel interfaces were prepared with roughness typical of offshore piles. Direct shear tests were performed under varying normal stress levels, utilising a purposely modified computer controlled apparatus. A parametric study examined the effects of the normal boundary conditions, consolidation period and shearing rate on interface behaviour.
Andreas Ziogos; Mike Rattley; Scott Whyte
5th International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics (ISFOG2025)
2 - Site characterization, in-situ and laboratory testing, measurement
https://doi.org/10.53243/ISFOG2025-286
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