VIBRATION PILE TESTING, CUXHAVEN
From April to December 2014 I was able to work on a research project in the area of offshore wind energy, concerning the installation method of monopile foundations for wind mills. Here, I'd like to share some information on this one-of-a-kind project.
"In Cuxhaven in Lower Saxony, Germany, Bilfinger is supporting RWE and other energy providers by testing what is known as the vibration piling procedure. This enables wind park foundations to be counterbored into the seabed by loosening the sand with vibrations, which allows the pile to sink in under the pressure of its own weight. The pilot project is set to considerably lower the costs of future European offshore wind parks.
The aim of the project is to demonstrate that Vibro Piling is ready for use with monopiles. Tests are being carried out to see whether the vibrated piles exhibit the same stabilities as the conventionally rammed piles. To do this, Bilfinger Marine and Offshore Systems is performing horizontal tension tests in which two piles at a time are subjected to a pressure load of 2,000 tons using presses. In addition, the team is coordinating all the activities on the building site and handling the installation of the six test piles, which are 4.3 meters in diameter and 21 meters long." (Bilfinger Marine & Offshore Systems, 2015)
