Experimental investigation of riprap protection for a jacket foundation under varying hydrodynamic actions

• Investigate effectiveness of riprap protection in reducing scour around jacket foundations. • Examine impact of riprap size and protection extent on the scour characteristics around jacket foundation. • Study effect of riprap size and porosity on energy dissipation and scour under both the clear water and live bed scour. • Investigate the correlation between the extent of riprap damage and the intensity of hydrodynamic forces. In recent years, the jacket foundation has emerged as a critical structural support in marine engineering, particularly for offshore wind farms. Despite its significance, there has been limited research on protective measures for jacket foundations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of riprap as a protective measure against both unidirectional flow (clear water scour) and combined wave-current conditions (live bed scour). Impact of uniform riprap protection at different flow intensities in unidirectional flow conditions is examined. The effect of riprap size and the extent of protection on scour around the jacket foundation is investigated. Additionally, the study presents a thorough assessment of potential damage caused by riprap protection. The findings provide crucial insights for designing riprap protection, elucidating the mechanisms and critical parameters that influence its efficacy. This research aids in enhancing the resistance of the seabed to scour around jacket foundations, thereby improving their stability and integrity.