Author(s): Yorick Broekema

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Keywords: Offshore wind energy; Scour protection; Loose rock; Physical model tests

Abstract: Offshore wind energy is a key-part of transitioning from a fossil-fuel based energy system to a system centered around renewable energy. The offshore wind industry is rapidly growing, leading to the installation of many foundation structures for the wind turbines in the marine environment. Foundations installed in this (sometimes harsh) marine environment are impacting the dynamics of currents and waves, which could in turn lead to seabed dynamics in the form of scour hole development. The impact of scour can be considered in the foundation design either through increasing its embedment depth or by using a scour mitigation measure. An often-incorporated scour mitigation solution is to install a loose rock scour protection. Loose rock scour protections are widely used in offshore engineering and have been employed in many offshore wind projects as foundation stabilization. This presentation discusses the dynamics and behaviour of loose rock scour protections in the marine environment based on over 10 years of physical model test data, including scour protections in highly morphodynamically active environments. The extensive physical model test database was used to derive a generic scour protection deformation model that can be used in practical design. Design guidelines for loose rock scour protections are shown as well in this presentation.

DOI:

Year: 2024