Centrifuge modelling to quantify the performance of suction caissons for the Hong Kong Offshore Wind Farm project - test specification

The primary purpose of the proposed centrifuge testing is to assess the response of specified suction caisson geometries to specific loading scenarios. The suction caissons are planned to be used as foundations to support 15 MW offshore wind turbines at locations where the seabed is known to comprise a marine clay and clayey silt overlying a marine sand.
The following summarises the proposed scope of work for the current project:
•developing/fabricating project specific apparatus and suction caisson models;
•executing a centrifuge modelling programme, expected to comprise the following:
o preparation of two centrifuge soil samples comprising a kaolin clay overlying a silica sand;
o in-flight strength characterisation of each soil sample profiles using miniature penetrometers;
o a total of five centrifuge model tests of suction caissons, with each test comprising: (a) a vertical installation phase via a combination of self-weight penetration and suction assisted penetration; (b) a waiting phase; and (c) a vertical loading phase to measure either compressive or tensile resistances under vertical monotonic or vertical cyclic loading;
•preparation of a geotechnical factual report after the centrifuge modelling programme is completed to document the investigation and provide the following:
o description of the work undertaken including details of the test facility, experimental devices used for the testing, experimental procedures and relevant data and photos;
o descriptions of the soils used and their preparation for centrifuge testing;
o applicable diagrams and figures of the testing methodology;
o a summary of the test data;