Offshore Geotechnical Engineering

A number of countries have ambitious targets to develop offshore renewables projects. There are many technical challenges to be solved. From a geotechnical engineering perspective these include: (i) characterising unusual soils, (ii) considering the impact of irregular loading, including earthquakes, typhoons, impacts etc. (iii) developing frameworks to understand the response of soils to cyclic loading, (iv) updating design models developed from the oil and gas sector to the foundation systems deployed in renewables projects and (v) the consideration of installation risks.

A series of short lectures will be by researchers and practitioners involved in developing and implementing state of the art design procedures (see content below). The lectures will be supplemented by small-group workshops on real-world problems:

• Marine Geology and Site Characterisation

• Offshore Soil Behaviour including cyclic response modelling.

• Design of Shallow Foundations (incl. mudmats, suction caissons, GBS).

• Development of the new ISO Pile Design Method for Axially Loaded Foundations

• The PISA model and alternative approaches for monopile design

• Anchor Systems for floating wind

• Installation of foundation systems

Feedback and review sessions on workshops.

Oral Exam

A successful participation in the elective, requires a minimum grade of 5.8.

For more information on grading, see article 14 in the Rules and Guidelines (RGBE):

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/ceg-student-portal/education/education-information/educational-rules-and-regulations

Permitted Materials during Exam

Open Book