Geotechnical Design of Piles supporting Foundation Structures for Offshore Wind Energy Converters

摘要

Offshore wind energy converters (OWECs) offer a huge potential for the expansion of renewable energy in Germany. In water depths of more than 30 m, tripod or jacket foundation structures will probably be used for the support of the tower. For these structures, driven steel piles are used as foundation elements. Design methods for axial loading of piles are given and discussed with respect to the soil conditions in the North and Baltic Seas and the loading conditions of OWECs. Also, the effect of interaction of axial and lateral forces is investigated and quantified by means of numerical modeling. This paper summarizes the state of knowledge for the design of offshore piles and gives hints for its application to the special loading conditions of piles for offshore wind energy foundation structures in the German offshore regions.