Author(s): Richard Whitehouse; John Harris; James Sutherland
Linked Author(s): James Sutherland
Keywords: Gravity base; Scour; Erosion
Abstract: This paper presents results on the analysis of scour at offshore foundations, with special reference to gravity structures. Gravity structures are used in a range of applications including oil and gas production, windfarm foundations and infrastructure protection, for example, concrete covers to pipelines. Two published empirical methods available for evaluating scour are reviewed and compared with laboratory and field data. The methods that are presented are reasonable for first order assessment although they do not represent the inclusion of skirts. In a vigorous scour environment a skirt may not prevent scour from undermining the structure and scour protection will be required. Some improvements that can be made to the predictive capabilities are outlined.
Year: 2010