Validation and Application of A New Software Tool Implementing the PISA Design Methodology

Journal Article (2020)
Author(s)

Ronald Brinkgreve (Plaxis, Geo-engineering)

Diego Lisi (Plaxis)

Miquel Lahoz (Plaxis)

Stavros Panagoulias (Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy)

DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8060457
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Publication Year
2020
Language
English
Issue number
6
Volume number
8
Article number
457
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137
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Abstract

The PISA (Pile Soil Analysis) research project has resulted in a new methodology for the design of offshore wind turbine monopile foundations. A new software tool called PLAXIS Monopile Designer (MoDeTo) has been developed that automates the PISA design methodology. It facilitates the calibration of the so-called soil reaction curves by automated three-dimensional finite element calculations and it allows for a quick design of monopiles using the calibrated soil reaction curves in a one-dimensional finite element model based on Timoshenko beam theory. The monopile design approach has been validated for sand- and clay-type soils which are common in North Sea soil deposits. The paper presents a validation exercise based on the PISA research project proposal of a rule-based parametric model—General Dunkirk Sand Model (GDSM)—for Dunkirk sand as well as an application of the tool for a project involving an offshore wind turbine on a monopile foundation in sandy layered soil in which the PISA design is compared to the conventional API design. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results and the differences between the various methods.