Scour, is the removal of sediment from around the base of an object on the seabed by and is a function of the interaction between the hydrodynamics (tides and waves) and the geotechnical properties of the seabed. Scour, left unchecked, can reduce the stability of offshore wind turbine foundations and the integrity of power cabling. It can also affect biological communities and heritage assets.
The primary objectives of this research are to :
To quantify the extent of scour around monopiles and understand the influence of hydrodynamic and geotechnical factors on the nature of scour a wide variety of field data is being analysed. The extent of scour is quantified from bathymetric surveys (pre and post-install). Surface sediments are characterised from grabs and side scan sonar. The sub-surface stratigraphy is explored through seismic profiles and intrusive geotechnical surveys such as cone penetration tests, boreholes and vibrocores. Metocean data is also analysed where available and can be augmented with hydrodynamic models. This is the first ever study directed at a comprehensive analysis of field data from within a single windfarm and between different windfarms to draw out the manifestation of geological constraints on scour depth, patterning and maximum extent.
Greg Melling (PhD Student)
Prof Justin Dix (Supervisor)
Prof Stephen Turnock (Supervisor)
Please see GSNOCS