A review of modelling effects in centrifuge monopile testing in sand

Monopile supports are to this day the preferred foundation solution for offshore wind turbines. There is still an empirical gap, however, between the in-situ conditions for these monopiles and the test conditions the current design methods are based on. This relates to both pile geometry and load conditions.

The gap introduces uncertainties and in order to optimise design, this gap needs to be minimised. Scaled modelling in an increased acceleration field, i.e. testing in a geotechnical centrifuge, can be an effective way of understanding behaviour and obtaining empirical evidence. Reliable testing is underpinned by thorough consideration of scaling laws.

To address fundamental understanding of modelling effects in centrifuge testing of laterally loaded monopiles in sand, a review of the latest relevant research for performing state of the art centrifuge testing of monopiles in sand has been carried out. Based on this review, modelling effects that introduce some uncertainties in the scaling of the results are identified, and based on that, a coordinated centrifuge-testing program is presented.

The test program will be performed across five centrifuge facilities and aims at minimising the identified modelling uncertainties.