Suction Caisson Foundations for Offshore Wind Turbines and Anemometer Masts

Abstract

We describe briefly some of the challenges met by the designers of the foundation systems for offshore wind energy developments. Although some experience from the offshore oil and gas industry proves valuable, the size and nature of typical wind turbines means that the loadings on the foundations are quite different from those encountered previously offshore. The most economical solutions are also likely to differ from those conventionally used offshore. We highlight the possibilities of a novel form of foundation: the suction caisson.