This study investigates the feasibility of scaling Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations to model the penetration of monopiles through protective scour armour layers in offshore wind turbine installations. A reference model is constructed to simulate monopile penetration thr
...
This study investigates the feasibility of scaling Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations to model the penetration of monopiles through protective scour armour layers in offshore wind turbine installations. A reference model is constructed to simulate monopile penetration through a scour protection layer composed of granular material. Three distinct scaling approaches are investigated: exact scaling, coarse-graining technique, and hybrid scaling. The results of this study show that scaled DEM simulations can achieve high reliability and accuracy when appropriate scaling techniques are selected based on specific simulation requirements, proper scaling laws are applied with careful consideration of physical principles, and scaling limits are respected. The successful implementation of these scaling techniques opens new possibilities for efficient simulation of industrial-scale offshore wind turbine installations while maintaining physical accuracy.