Installation of suction caissons for offshore renewable energy structures

Conference item

Suction caisson foundations are a promising option for a range of offshore renewable energy structures. Currently they are being considered for offshore wind turbines either as a mono-foundation or as the foundations for more conventional multi-footing jacket structures. Installation of the caissons is important and so a thorough understanding of the installation mechanisms in a range of soils and the consequent effect on capacity must be obtained. This paper explores the important installation issues to consider for a range of sites around the UK and summarises some of the findings of a recent research project looking at installation processes (Cotter, 2009). This includes experimental results ranging from installation into homogeneous sand, homogeneous clay, layered soil profiles, the effect of pressure grouting on caisson response and the use of skirt tip injection to aid installation. © 2011 Taylor and Francis Group, London.

Authors: Cotter, O; Byrne, B; Houlsby, G

• Host title: Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics II - Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics
• Pages: 569-574
• Publication date: 2011-01-01
• ISBN: 9780415584807