Goal: Detailed engineering of a machine that is used for the determination of the natural frequency of monopiles. The natural frequencies are to be determined on piles driven into the seabed. The monopiles are used as foundations for wind turbines. The Monopile Shaker is used to validate existing models of soil mechanics.
Result: Bright Engineering made all drawings and
calculations for the Monopile Shaker. The Monopile Shaker consists of
the actual shaker bolted on top an adaption frame. By means of the
adaption frame the forces from the Monopile Shaker are introduced at the
top of the monopile. After building the Monopile Shaker was
successfully used to test offshore monopiles.
The Monopile Shaker is capable of loading the monopile with variable
loads in variable frequencies. These loads are generated by turning two
wheels with eccentric weights in different speeds. The Monopile Shaker
is provided with a system for easy exchange of the eccentric weights.
In order to determine the fatigue life of the Monopile Shaker a number
of finite element calculations were made. These calculations were used
to analyze the stress variations in critical details of the
construction. For each critical detail the fatigue life was determined.
This way the safe use of the Monopile Shaker during extensive tests on
monopiles is guaranteed.
Client: IHC IQIP BV
Year: 2015