Design guideline for suction caissons supporting offshore wind turbines

该项目旨在为吸力沉箱基础制定行业指南，这是一种新型的固定平台锚，用于海上风力涡轮机。该项目希望通过将现场经验与创新实验的测量结果相结合，在安装过程中产生新的沉箱响应知识，并在数百万个风/波荷载循环中产生新的知识。该项目的预期成果包括指导在困难土层中安装吸力的新方法，以及预测涡轮机运行寿命期间的旋转和刚度。这些科学进步的好处将有助于经济可靠地设计吸力沉箱基础，并更快地利用海上风能。

This project aims to develop an industry guideline for suction caisson foundations, that are a new form of fixed platform anchor, for offshore wind turbines. The project expects to generate new knowledge of caisson response during installation and over millions of wind/wave load cycles, by integrating field experience with measurements from innovative experiments. The expected outcomes of this project include new methods to guide suction installation in difficult soil layering and predicting rotation and stiffness over a turbine’s operational life. The benefits of these scientific advances will contribute to the economic and reliable design of suction caisson foundations and a more rapid take-up of offshore wind energy.