Project overview:

Vibratory-Installed Bucket Foundation for Fixed Foundation Offshore Wind Towers

Awardee:

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station

Start Date:

Q3, 2021

Technical Challenge Area:

Fixed Structure Engineering

Completion Date:

Q4, 2022

Synopsis:

Vibratory installation provides a promising alternative to suction installation in that it is feasible under a much wider range of soil conditions and has environmental benefits. This study investigates vibratory installation of bucket foundations as a possible alternative installation method.

Target Outcomes:

Develop an engineering model for vibratory bucket installation and calibrate the model based on field data.

Determine bucket design parameters to allow for vibratory installation.

Assess the feasibility of towing the monolithic tower-bucket into installation position and then conducting vibratory installation.

Develop a comparative analysis, assessing the economic, technical, and environmental pros and cons of vibratory installation and other installation methods.