To support the renewable energy, GTC-Lab have joined and submitted a technical paper to the Second Vietnam Symposium on Advances in Offshore Engineering, VSOE2021.

 

The paper is entitled: “PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ADVANCED LABORATORY TESTS TO ASSIST PILE DESIGN FOR OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS IN VIETNAM”

by Minh Nguyen1 and Man Bui2.

 

1 PhD, CEng MICE, Chief Geotechnical Engineer, ODE Ltd., London, UK

2 PhD, GTC Laboratory Manager, Soil Analysis Services, Dubai, UAE

 

Abstract

 

Recently, a significant number of new offshore wind projects has been proposed and some are under development in Vietnam and other Asian countries adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. For Vietnam, such move is logical as the country has abundant potential in offshore wind energy, as well as being very experience in the O&G developments since 1970s and particularly keen on promoting renewable energy. In fact, it is generally expected that although offshore wind is a relatively new in Vietnam, its development may be faster, lower in cost and less troublesome in comparison with other nearby Asian countries.

 

This paper identifies the main differences in obtaining the soil mechanical (stress-strength-stiffness) parameters in the pile design between an Oil and Gas (O&G) platform jacket and an offshore wind turbine (OWT) jacket or a monopile to satisfy the widely accepted OWT offshore standards (e.g. DNVGL-ST-0126 and DNVGL-ST-0437). It then describes the practical considerations which should be given to advanced laboratory tests (ALT), especially cyclic testing strategy to reflect the extra demands given in the cyclic and fatigue behaviour of a monopile or as a member of a pile group under a jacket. The scope and content of the ALT strategy will be tailored to each OWT project, including the need for site-specific data, project budget and schedule. Practical notes on the importance to conduct corresponding reference static tests, specifically triaxial (compression and extension shearing modes) and direct simple shear tests are also provided.

The considerations required in obtaining specific suites of cyclic and static soil parameters for WTG pile foundation are not yet well addressed in Vietnam. In addition, the existing capability and capacity constraints of its labs have been identified as other challenges. This is an aspect for future co-operation.

 

Keywords: advanced laboratory testing (ALT); site investigation; offshore wind project; site characterization; cyclic testing; soil parameters