This paper presents a parametric study that investigates issues such as the pile diameter, wall thickness, pile-soil resistance model and hammer type on offshore pile driveability. The research indicates that the model used to calculate the static resistance to driving (SRD) has a dominant effect on the accuracy of pile driving predictions. The current industry standard API-07 method suggests that piles of up to 8 m diameter can be driven to a target penetration of 35 m even in very dense sand typically encountered in the North Sea. In contrast, recent Cone Penetration Test (CPT) design methods indicates much harder driving and suggests a new generation of much higher capacity hammers will be required to install these piles.
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