Structural mechanics for design of grouted connections in monopile wind turbine structures

Over the last 30 years it has become standard practice to connect offshore oil and gas structures to their foundation piles using cylindrical shaped grouted connections with shear keys or weld beads. Circumferential shear keys, or weld beads, are provided around the outside of the piles and the inside of the pile sleeves in jacket structures to transfer forces through the grouted connection. The same methodology is also now being used by the wind energy industry to connect wind turbine support structures to their foundation piles. These structures are subjected to rather severe dynamic loading, it is therefore important to document the fatigue capacity of these grouted connections. As a direct result of this need, a joint industry project focusing on the capacity of cylindrical shaped grouted connections with shear keys was initiated by DNV in January 2011 and continued through until completion in May 2012. This project has involved fatigue testing of grouted test specimens in the laboratory, finite element analyses and assessment and development of a recommended design methodology. The design methodology includes the Ultimate Limit State and the Fatigue Limit State. Fatigue testing of full-scale specimens would require very large test setup and hydraulic actuators. Therefore special box specimens were designed with a representative radial stiffness similar to that of large diameter connections, with both full size grout thickness and geometry of the shear keys. An analytical approach for design of these specimens and for the design of grouted connections in monopiles is presented in this paper.     

浅水裙桩导管架的安装工艺

文章以蓬莱19-3单点导管架的海上安装工艺为例介绍了渤海裙桩导管架的海上安装过程,提出了使用“钢桩脚鞋”起长重桩,用脚手架管做插桩导向引导插桩,用送桩辅助打裙桩,用圆管观测打桩刻度等一系列实践性极强的安装方法,对于今后在渤海湾或其它浅水区域安装类似的导管架有借鉴意义.     

曹妃甸30万吨级原油码头超重型钢管桩沉桩施工

曹妃甸30万吨级原油码头桩基采用直径1.8 m钢管桩,桩长64.5～77 m,桩重81.37～94.51 t,桩重为目前国内之最.文章论述了打桩锤、打桩船的选择和打桩锤、打桩船的技术性能;钢管桩节点的布置及受力计算;以及沉桩施工步骤.经优化的沉桩工艺,使超长、超重钢管桩顺利施打完毕,施工质量达到优良水平.     

Field experiments on laterally loaded piles for an offshore wind farm

Pile foundations are widely used to support offshore wind turbines due to their cost effectiveness and rapid constructions. Offshore piles must be designed with enough capacity to withstand overturning moments caused by wind turbines and other environmental factors such as wave excitations and extreme winds. In this study, a full-scale field experimental test is undertaken to determine the pile behaviour under various lateral loading conditions. A distributed fiber optic sensing technology is used to measure strains along two instrumented piles. The bending moments and lateral deflections are calculated from distributed fiber optic sensors, and then analysed with the various p-y methods. Field measurements indicated that for two offshore piles ZK01 and ZK28 with diameter of 2 m and length of 71.5 m and 77.5 m, the maximum lateral movements under a given lateral load of 800 kN were 369.1 mm and 351.7 mm, respectively. The maximum bending moment occurred at 6.5 m and 5.5 m below seabed level with the corresponding depth of 12.15D and 11.95D for pile ZK01 and ZK28, respectively. The position of “zero crossing” of soil resistance for two instrumented piles is almost the same, even though the piles have different lengths. The lateral deflections and bending moments of the two instrumented piles are predicted by the API and hyperbolic method, which indicates that the hyperbolic method yields larger prediction errors than the API method. A modified p-y approach is then proposed for more reliable predictions when compared with field measurements.     

Monitoring of suction bucket jackets for offshore wind turbines: Dynamic load bearing behaviour and modelling

Suction bucket foundations for offshore wind turbines (OWT) have considerable advantages compared to conventional foundation types: Due to the installation process with dead weight and applied negative pressure, noise from pile driving can be completely avoided. In addition, the installation process of the whole substructure, consisting of the buckets connected to the jacket, can be carried out in one work step, which increases efficiency. A prototype of the suction bucket jacket was installed in the wind park ‘Borkum Riffgrund 1’ (North Sea) in August 2014. Due to the pre-installed and comprehensive measuring system, it was possible to monitor all installation and operating phases. The data analysis of a storm event show an amplitude and frequency-dependent behaviour of the soil stiffness and the suction bucket foundation without wind turbine. In the frequency range of the first and second eigenfrequency (0.2 Hz < f < 5 Hz), the system behaves linearly. Here, the Frequency Domain Decomposition is used for identification and monitoring. For the lower frequency band (0.05 Hz < f < 0.2 Hz) where higher forces and displacements occur, a non-linear multilayer perceptron is chosen to model the non-linear relations between measurements. By applying two mathematical models for the relevant frequency ranges, all the information from the measurement data can be used for system identification and novelty detection under varying environmental conditions.     

Support condition monitoring of monopile-supported offshore wind turbines in layered soil based on model updating

Monopile-supported offshore wind turbines (OWTs) are dynamically sensitive structures whose fundamental frequencies may be close to those of environmental and turbine-related excitations. The changes in fundamental frequencies caused by pile-soil interaction (PSI) may result in unwanted resonance and serious O&M (Operation and Maintenance) issues, which have been identified as major challenges in the research field. Therefore, a novel model updating framework with an implicit objective function is proposed to monitor both the stiffness and damping variation of the OWT system based on the measured vibration characteristics, which is further verified by laboratory tests. In particular, layered soil was considered in the tests to simulate the practical soil conditions of Chinese seas. Different pile lengths were introduced to consider the long-term PSI effects for rigid piles and slender piles. The results showed that the variation in the fundamental frequency is significantly reduced in layered soil compared with the pure sand scenario. For the OWT systems in layered soil, the variation in foundation stiffness is negatively related to the burial depth under cyclic loading. The proposed model updating framework is proven reliable for support condition monitoring of OWT systems in complicated soil conditions.     

曹妃甸煤码头起步工程钢板桩沉桩振动设备的选型与改造

码头前墙采用我国首创的大型H和Az型组合钢板桩,需先穿过20 m厚的密实砂层后至设计标高,入泥32m左右.需要2 300 kN以上激振力的大型振动锤才能完成施工.在国内无厂家生产,外购义不能满足工期要求且价格昂贵的情况下,将2台APE400型液压振动锤进行改造,由原先振动壁厚250 mm钢筋混凝上大圆筒的夹具,改为振动厚度小于80 mm钢板的夹具,并重新设计制作了相应的过度梁,将5 468 t钢板桩振沉至设计标高,使新结构的使用在如此复杂恶劣的地质上成为可能.文章介绍了振动锤的选型和改造方法,可供类似工程参考.     

93.5m打桩船设计研究

在20世纪,我国的打桩船均在内河和港内作业,船型小、功能低,21世纪初,随着我国海洋工程的发展,大型海上作业必须配备超大型打桩船。93.5m打桩船能打直径3m、主桩重120t的大型钢桩,该船为非自航箱型船,能抗7级风(蒲氏风级)、水流速≤0.3m/s、有义波高H1/3=0.8 m。设计过程中,研究了该船的主尺度、线型、不同工况稳性校核、船体结构、移船定位、锚泊设备、桩架受力分析和结构设计,并进行了耐波性和不同环境条件的锚系泊受力分析,经总体设计,在结合专家评审方案设计的基础上,完成施工设计并建造成功。该打桩船以优异的作业性能受到用户青睐。     

浅析柴油锤海上打桩效果的相关影响因素

针对海上打桩施工过程中基桩下沉不到位的问题,在有限元软件ANSYS/LS-DYNA中以非线性、粘一弹塑性弹簧单元模拟桩一土相互作用,建立打桩下沉过程的数值模型,分析柴油锤作用下的动态土强度折减系数、入土深度、桩径、锤击能量、锤击力等因素对桩体可打人性的影响,并给出部分型号柴油锤的停锤标准,对桩基工程施工有一定的参考价值...     

Centrifuge modelling of a combined pile-type anchor subjected to general inclined loading

One of the main challenges associated with anchoring offshore platforms is the logistic needed to install them in deep water. The growing need for high capacity anchors has prompted the development of new systems where the feasibility of transporting them out to sea is a crucial consideration. With respect to torpedo piles used by Petrobras in Brazil, new platforms installed in deep water required robust anchoring systems, and a cluster of small torpedoes was considered instead of one large torpedo. However, torpedo pile installation is hindered by deep water streams, which can deviate their trajectory during the fall. This is of great concern for the design of torpedo pile clusters because the distance between the piles cannot be controlled during installation. The present study aims to determine the variation in the load capacity of a cluster or array of single piles as a function of the distance between the piles and the load direction after installation on the seabed. To that end, a series of centrifuge tests were carried out on pile clusters installed in loose sand, varying the distance between the piles and the loading direction. The results show considerable interactions between the adjacent piles depending on the load direction and pile spacing. The optimal spacing for maximum cluster efficiency was determined, and comparisons were made with values from the literature for capped pile clusters.     

旅大32-2MOP吸力桩平台安装技术

海洋平台需通过桩基与海床固定,桩基根据安装工艺不同分为:打桩桩、钻孔桩和吸力桩;随着海洋工程的发展,吸力桩越来越广泛地用作为系泊系统、水下生产系统及自安装式平台的桩基。以旅大32-2系缆平台为例,对吸力桩平台吸水灌入工艺进行介绍,可提供以后类似工程借鉴和参考。     

桩靴形式对PHC桩穿透性能的影响

坦桑尼亚某水工项目桩基施工采用直径800和1 000 mm两种类型的PHC桩,针对不同桩靴形式的基桩穿透性能进行研究。从桩尖形式、桩靴长度、钢桩靴与PHC桩连接方式对PHC桩沉桩总锤击数、贯入度变化进行统计,结合不同桩靴形式在相同地质条件下的贯入度、桩身应力、能量等参数进行对比。结果表明,外突十字桩尖PHC桩穿透性能最强;桩靴长度增加其基桩穿透能力增加,但桩靴长度大于5 m时,其基桩穿透能力增加不明显;钢桩靴与PHC桩法兰盘采用斜角坡板焊接能减少沉桩过程土阻力,基桩贯入度较大,更易穿透至设计高程。     

复杂地质条件下PHC桩可打性与实际沉桩全程动测对比分析

针对复杂地质条件下经常出现基桩难以入土至设计高程等异常情况影响施工的问题,研究了基桩可打性和沉桩过程质量控制方法。基于坦桑尼亚达累斯萨拉姆港改扩建工程,采用对典型地质钻孔处桩基进行GRLWEAP可打性和沉桩过程高应变全程动测对比分析的方法,得出结论:利用全程动测结果可以对可打性分析中的土层参数进行更符合实际的修正。研究结果表明:参考类似土层参数修正值进行调整后的GRLWEAP可打性分析和高应变全程动测不仅能为PHC桩沉桩施工提供理论支持,还能实时监控沉桩过程以进行质量控制。     

高压旋喷注浆技术在高速公路软基治理中的应用

论述高压旋喷桩的机理、设计方法、施工关键技术及其在广东某高速公路路基灾害治理中的应用。实践证明,高压旋喷桩加固下卧层以下软弱地基是一项安全、有效的技术,可有效地提高路基承载力,防止路基工后沉降,其经验可供类似工程参考。     

海洋平台钢桩起吊的内胀式吊桩原理分析及试验验证

根据海洋石油平台钢桩起吊的要求,设计了一种基于斜面增力原理的内胀式吊桩器,并详细分析了吊桩原理.对提升管桩进行了动力学仿真分析,研究了镶嵌压块的结构和材料性能,对其与管桩壁的接触过程采用剪切摩擦理论进行有限元分析,得到了管桩内壁的压痕深度.最后的吊桩载荷试验表明,论文中给出的内胀式吊桩方式可以保证大型钢桩起吊的安全性和可靠性.     

The uplift capacity of single-plate helical pile in shallow dense sand including the influence of installation

The helical pile has been used to resist the tension for a long time. However, the prediction of the uplift capacity of helical piles including the influence of installation is still a challenge in design. Based on the change in stress according to Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, a simple theoretical method has been developed, which can calculate the uplift capacity of shallow pre-embedded circular plate anchors and the uplift capacity of helical piles installed by torque and compression. In order to analyse the influence of installation process of a single-plate helical pile on its uplift capacity and verify the theoretical model, a series of model tests have been conducted in dense saturated sand. The single-plate helical piles with different out diameters of helixes have been installed with different installation speeds, and then, the single-plate helical piles have been moved up monotonically. The test results show that the installation speed and the size of the out diameter of the helix have significant influence on the uplift capacity of the helical piles, and the results of the theoretical method have a good fit with the test results. Using this simple theoretical method, the designer can easily predict the uplift capacities of helical piles, which includes the influence of installation.     

Study on a new method for installing a monopile and a fully integrated offshore wind turbine structure

This paper presents a preliminary technical feasibility study on a new methodology proposed for installing a monopile-based bottom supported offshore wind turbine structure. The concept is developed to address the problem of “waiting for a suitable weather window” which is commonly faced by the existing installation methods that uses a typical jack-up platform. In the methodology, a floating vessel along with a floatable subsea structure fitted with a hull on the top, hereafter named SSIP (subsea structure for installing a pile), is proposed first to install a monopile. Then the same structure is used to carry an FIUS (fully integrated upper structure) of an offshore wind turbine, which is characterized by a telescopic tower, and install it over the monopile by using an FOP (float-over-pulling) arrangement. Here, the installation methodologies are first briefly described along with the critical load cases associated with them. These load cases are then numerically studied for a significant wave height (H_S) of 2.5 m, and the results are summarized. For installing a fully integrated offshore wind turbine upper structure on a monopile foundation by the FOP method, two installation schemes are presented, and their dynamic characteristics are compared. It is shown that the proposed methodologies have potential to provide installation solutions which can be environmentally more robust compared to the existing method for installing an offshore wind turbine.     

基于圆孔扩张理论的CFG桩成桩效应计算分析

利用圆孔扩张理论对CFG 桩处理公路软粘土的成桩效应进行了理论分析,依据工程实例对沉管引起的桩间土超静孔压、地表隆起量及土体挤密性进行了计算。研究结果对深入理解CFG 桩沉管的“隔桩跳打”工艺,解释单桩沉管过程对相邻已打桩成桩质量的影响,以及复合地基桩间距的合理设计均具有理论和实用价值。     

Corrosion rate measurements in steel sheet pile walls in a marine environment

Corrosion of steel structures in the marine environment is a major problem. The deterioration of this kind of structures is costly and difficult to predict both when designing new structures and when estimating the remaining service life time for existing structures. The aim of this investigation was to find indicative values for the corrosion rate of steel sheet piles on the Swedish west coast. Such corrosion rates (mm/year) can be used both when designing new structures by oversizing the steel thickness and when estimating the bearing capacity of existing sheet pile structures. Earlier investigations on the corrosion rates along the Swedish east coast – with salinity from about 0.2% to 0.8% – are still used today as guidelines for the corrosion rate of all steel structures in the Swedish maritime environment even though the salinity on the west coast can be as high as 3.0%.Steel sheet pile wharfs located in the port of Halmstad on the Swedish west coast were inspected by ultrasonic measurements. Three wharf structures with a total length of about 700 m were inspected. None of the inspected wharfs had or have had cathodic protection. The thickness measurements of the steel sheet pile structures were performed by divers.The age of the three inspected sheet pile structures ranged from 36 to 51 years. The dimensions of the original sheet pile sections are known. One of the quay structures is located along a river. The salinity at all wharfs varied from low values at the surface to approx. 2% at the bottom (also in the river outflow).The measured average corrosion rates were in the same order as the design values in the European code. However, the results indicate increased corrosion rates about 1 m below the mean water surface and at the level of the propellers from the ships berthing the most frequented of the inspected wharfs, 3–6 m below water surface.The tolerances of steel sheet thicknesses – usually in the order of ±6% – are often neglected when investigating the remaining thickness in steel sheet piles. A simple calculation model shows that the sheet pile must be almost 50 years of age before an accurate estimation on the corrosion rate can be made, considering the tolerances, if the true original sheet pile thickness is not known.     

采用X形桩的遮帘式板桩码头结构静力分析

X形桩是一种反拱曲面异型桩,相比于同等截面积的矩形桩和圆形桩,X形桩具有更大的截面周长和惯性矩,受力性能更好。结合京唐港32#泊位遮帘式板桩码头结构,以X形桩代替传统的矩形桩,研究其对结构静力的影响。结果表明:相同桩间中心距时,以X形桩替代后可减小前墙弯矩;在同等桩间净距1.75 m下,两类模型的前墙最大弯矩基本相同。相同荷载作用下,前墙位移主要受桩间中心距影响,X形桩形状影响效应很小;锚碇墙水平位移受桩间中心距和遮帘桩形状的影响均很小。桩间中心距、净距与桩间土体土拱效应直接相关,对前墙弯矩、土压力、遮帘桩弯矩等有显著影响。桩间中心距为4.05 m或桩间净距为1.75 m时,结构内力改善效果较优,可采用该间距的X形桩替代矩形桩,节约工程造价。