Centrifuge modelling considerations of laterally loaded monopiles in sand
The large-diameter monopile is a commonly used foundation concept for offshore wind turbines. The advantages of geometrical simplicity and reliable performance make it often the most attractive solution. Despite the concept’s high popularity, optimisation of the current design models can still be made. To address fundamental understanding of modelling effects in centrifuge testing of laterally loaded monopiles in sand, a large coordinated centrifuge-testing programme across nine different centrifuge centres worldwide has been conducted. This paper presents firstly the results of a local benchmark modelling of model test series performed in two centrifuges and secondly the results of global benchmark testing across the nine centrifuges. The results highlight the reliability of centrifuge testing as it was possible to model a similar prototype response in both the local and global benchmark tests, despite differences in the experimental setups and pile geometries. Furthermore, as examples of the modelling technique, two different cases are presented, one showing the effect of installation and one showing the effect of pile penetration depth. Finally, recommendations are provided to enhance centrifuge testing of monopile response under complex loading.
Authors
- Sunji Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3577-3137)
- Luc Thorel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0218-4144)
- Márcio de Souza Soares de Almeida (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2230-397X)
- Charles M. Heron (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7935-4703)
- Luke J. Prendergast (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3755-0391)
- S.M. Bayton
- Varvara Zania (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8270-1246)
- Shengsheng Fan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6316-2790)
- Amin Askarinejad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7060-2141)
- Matthieu Blanc (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0603-487X)
- Alec M. Marshall (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1583-1619)
- Britta Bienen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0342-0698)
- K. W. Cheng
- Dong‐Soo Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4445-682X)
- Thomas Broad
- Spg Madabhushi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4031-8761)
- Rasmus Tofte Klinkvort (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2295-2128)
- Maria Fernanda Barra
- Stuart K. Haigh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3782-0099)
- J.A. Black (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3529-6708)
- Qiang Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8221-5045)
Institutions
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NO)
- Queen's University Belfast (GB)
- University of Nottingham (GB)
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KR)
- The University of Western Australia (AU)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- Cambridge School (PT)
- Bridge University (SS)
- Université Gustave Eiffel (FR)
- Technical University of Denmark (DK)
- Delft University of Technology (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics
- Published
- 2025-12-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1680/jphmg.25.00046
- Primary Topic
- Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Norges Forskningsråd
- Lloyd's Register
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council