Innovation spearheads cheaper seafloor test for offshore wind farms

Innovation spearheads cheaper seafloor test for offshore wind farms

Australian engineers have unveiled a clever new device – based on a modified speargun – as a cheap and efficient way to test seabed soil when designing offshore wind farms.

The RMIT University invention launches a probe into the seabed to provide valuable data on what lies beneath.

This testing is normally done by winching or dropping probes – known as penetrometers – from the deck of a support vessel.  

But for wind farm projects is shallower water these lightweight probes are less effective in penetrating the sandy seabed, while heavy-duty probes that do work can cost up to AU$200,000 a day.

The RMIT researchers tested their launching device with various probe tips in different sand mixes within a water tank, using an array of sensors and high-speed cameras to capture results. 

Professor Majid Nazem and Junlin Rong with the device. Credit: Michael Quin, RMIT. Professor Majid Nazem and Junlin Rong with the device. Credit: Michael Quin, RMIT.

Results now published in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal indicate the device could be twice as effective in penetrating the seafloor compared to existing lightweight free-fall soil testers, and much more cost-effective than heavy-duty probes.

RMIT PhD candidate and study lead author Junlin Rong said these results showed the device’s significant potential.  

"In laboratory environments, the device showed considerably greater penetration potential compared to free-falling probes on soil. Notably, in high-density sandy material, the penetration depth was twice that of previously reported values achieved by freely falling probes," Rong said.

"This breakthrough technique has the potential to revolutionise site investigations for wind farm projects, offering significant time and cost savings while outperforming the embedment achieved by other dynamic penetrometers.” 

The device is designed with environmental friendliness in mind, as probes can be retrieved and reused after data collection, allowing ‘probe and go’ testing that minimizes disturbance to the seabed.  

It can also be adapted to existing probes, allowing engineers to retrofit their current devices with minimal investment.

The spear can be fitted with a range of tips, including this spherical penetrometer. The spear can be fitted with a range of tips, including this spherical penetrometer. Credit: RMIT.

Rong added that while existing cone penetration testing methods would remain dominant, their launching system could reduce the number of these expensive tests needed, resulting in substantial savings.

RMIT Professor of Geotechnical Engineering Majid Nazem said the device was now ready for field trials.  

"Now that our experiments have demonstrated the device’s ability to achieve considerable embedment depth in dense sand, we are keen to conduct field trials and collaborate with our potential industrial partners to further test its performance for offshore geotechnical engineering applications," Nazem said.

The device has been tested with a range of penetrometers. Credit: RMIT. The device has been tested with a range of penetrometers. Credit: RMIT.

This research was conducted in RMIT’s Heavy Structures Laboratory and supported by the Australian Research Council through the Discovery Project scheme (DP200100549).

The study, titled ‘Development of a speargun projectile penetrometer in soil’ is published in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal (DOI: 10.1139/cgj-2023-073).

Interested in this technology? Contact: research.partnerships@rmit.edu.au

 

Story: Michael Quin

17 July 2024

Share

Return to RMIT News
17 July 2024

Share

  • Research
  • Sustainability
  • STEM
  • Engineering
  • Science and technology
  • Industry
  • Environment
Engage

Related News

news-spongy-water-1220px.jpg

Smart spongy device captures water from thin air

Engineers from Australia and China have invented a sponge-like device that captures water from thin air and then releases it in a cup using the sun’s energy, even in low humidity where other technologies such as fog harvesting and radiative cooling have struggled.

image_extended_2.jpg

Gas-sensing capsule takes another big step from lab to commercialisation

An ingestible gas-sensing capsule that provides real-time insights into gut health has moved closer to market with RMIT University transferring IP ownership to medical device company Atmo Biosciences.

Two women and one man in a lab - the middle person is holding a vile of brown liquid..

Aussie tech helps make bio-oils for greener industrial applications

Australian technology developed at RMIT University could enable more sustainable and cheaper production of bio-oils to replace petroleum-based products in electronic, construction and automotive applications.

bread-production-1220px.jpg

Scientists call for targeted fibre diets to boost health

Australian food scientists have reclassified dietary fibres – beyond just soluble and insoluble – to better guide nutritional decisions and drive targeted health food products.

Show more
aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information