Design and installation of small-scale monopod suction pile and tripod suction buckets for offshore wind farms

Abstract

This paper describes small-scale field tests on monopod suction pile and tripod suction buckets with and without the detachable penetration apparatus. The main objective of the field tests was to identify the capability of a novel detachable penetration apparatus at small-scale and to obtain useful information for future full-scale field tests. Included are the details of the small-scale field tests, including the site conditions, suction pile details, installation, instrumentation equipment, and brief test results. Field tests were performed to investigate the applicability for the installation of both monopod suction pile and tripod suction buckets and the capability of verticality control of the detachable penetration apparatus. Results indicate that the newly developed detachable penetration apparatus is very effective in penetrating the suction pile and capable of controlling the verticality during installation. Detachable penetration apparatus will be used in future full-scale field tests. Copyright © 2012 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).