Behaviour of an offshore finned monopile located on a sloping ground surface: An innovative foundation solution

Abstract

This study explores the performance of finned monopiles as an innovative foundation solution for Offshore Wind Turbines subjected to cyclic loading under varying seabed conditions. Traditional monopiles face challenges related to stability when installed on sloped terrains, which are common in offshore environments. To address this, the research investigates the effectiveness of rectangular fins attached along the monopile's length to improve lateral resistance and reduce accumulated rotation. Experimental and numerical analyses were conducted across different slope gradients (flat, 1V:5H, 1V:3H, 1V:2H), pile positions (0Dp, 2.5Dp, 5Dp, 7.5Dp), and soil densities (35%, 55%, 75%), applying cyclic loading at 0.25 Hz over 1000 cycles with lateral load amplitudes (ξ_b) of 30%, 40%, and 50%. This study is the first to investigate finned monopiles under cyclic loading on sloping seabed conditions, demonstrating a 30–60% improvement in lateral resistance by increasing the passive soil resistance by reducing the rotation compared to monopiles. This work addresses the challenges of Offshore Wind Turbine foundations in complex topographies. Numerical modeling using PLAXIS 3D closely aligned with experimental findings, confirming the effectiveness of finned monopiles in enhancing stability on sloped seabeds. These findings suggest that finned piles offer a robust foundation alternative for Offshore Wind Turbines, particularly in challenging environments with variable seabed topography.