You will develop a novel predictive model for the 'silent' installation of open-ended piles for offshore wind turbine foundations, through advanced physical and numerical modelling. You will improve the fundamental understanding of pile installation, while developing practical tools for the offshore industry, accelerating the path to a carbon-neutral world.

Open-ended pile (impact) driving is the most used installation method for the foundations of offshore wind turbines. Tens of thousands of piles must be installed across the world to achieve carbon neutrality by the end of 2050. However, as restrictions on underwater noise emissions become more stringent to limit adverse effects on marine fauna, new ‘silent’ installation methods must be developed for the offshore wind industry, such as pile jacking. The response of jacked piles during and after installation is strongly dependent on their plugging behaviour, i.e. the formation of a soil column inside the pile that prevents soil ingress during their installation. A smaller plug length increases the pile bearing resistance but also makes them more difficult to install.

The goal of this project is to develop an accurate predictive model for jacked pile plugging. You will investigate the fundamental pile plugging behaviour through advanced physical modelling (geotechnical centrifuge testing) in our National Infrastructure Laboratory. You will compare the results with advanced numerical modelling (Discrete Element Method) to extend your database of results and will develop a novel mechanism-based predictive model.

This project can have a large impact on industry practice, while also improving our fundamental understanding of pile foundations. You will have many opportunities to expand your network, both in academia and industry, through project meetings, workshops, and conferences. You will be embedded within a professional network addressing ocean challenges and decarbonisation as part of the Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute (SMMI).

This project will be supervised by Dr Benjamin Cerfontaine, Professor David White and Dr Jamie Crispin.

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/people/5y6tqr/doctor-benjamin-cerfontaine

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/people/5xlfjs/professor-dave-white

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/people/65cr7g/doctor-jamie-crispin

Entry requirements

A minimum of a UK 2:1 undergraduate degree or its international equivalent in a civil or mechanical engineering-related field.

A geotechnical specialisation is desirable but not essential.