Integrated Assessment of Seafloor and Subsurface Site Conditions at Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Farm Development

Abstract

This study illustrates a ground model approach used to characterize the complex site conditions within the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Farm Lease Area. The ground model is the result of the integration of geophysical, geological, geotechnical, and benthic (environmental) data to evaluate marine geohazards and summarize seafloor and sub-seafloor conditions. The ground model is provided in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) format which can be interactively used for Wind Turbine Generator siting, design, and construction. Various components of the ground model including seafloor sediments and morphology, subsurface geologic features, stratigraphy, soil provinces, and soil profiles are presented and discussed. Soil province variability across the Lease Area has been successfully delineated in detail through the ground model methodology presented in this paper. Geotechnical properties of various identified soil units are generally favorable for a variety of potential foundation types and installation methods. This is one paper in a collaborative series that demonstrates the value of an integrated geoscience approach considering regulatory requirements and project design essentials.