Seminar - Christophe Gaudin - New insights from model tests of foundation and anchoring systems in offshore geomechanics

Wednesday 11 October 2006, 1.10 - 1.50 pm
Civil Engineering Lecture Theatre 3

Dr Christophe Gaudin
Research Fellow
Centrifuge Manager

Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems
The University of Western Australia
www.cofs.uwa.edu.au


Abstract
Physical modelling and more particularly centrifuge modelling has contributed significantly over the last decades to the development of offshore geotechnics. This may be attributed to the fact that offshore structures are generally inaccessible for field testing or monitoring (both in term of distance and cost) and also because the emphasis is more on capacity than displacements, restricting the benefits of sophisticated numerical modelling. Another important advantage of physical modelling is the possibility to model the full rheological softening response of natural soils, which is of great importance in offshore geotechnics. New devices and modelling techniques have permitted more precise quantitative design information, in respect of failure mechanisms and fundamental performance. New insights gained from these techniques are illustrated by examples from recent studies undertaken at the Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems.