Guide Structure for Offshore Pile Mounting Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional method of mounting a super structure on a foundation pile is highly dependent on good weather conditions due to the susceptibility of the super structure to external forces like wind and waves, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage during installation, especially in offshore environments.
Innovation Solution
A guide structure with sloping surfaces is used to guide the super structure onto a truncated conical top end of the foundation pile, minimizing the impact of wind and waves by self-centering the super structure during installation, allowing for precise alignment and reducing the risk of collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the super structure is lifted and lowered by a crane to form a slip joint, then the mounting can be performed, but the super structure becomes susceptible to wind and waves causing poor positioning and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the super structure and the foundation pile. The guide structure includes guide surfaces that physically guide the super structure during lowering, preventing sideways movement and ensuring proper alignment while the crane operates. This mediator absorbs the impact of wind and waves, allowing the mounting operation to proceed reliably under adverse weather conditions.
2Productivity
If mounting operations are performed in offshore environments with waves and wind, then installation can proceed, but precision is reduced and damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure serves as a protective intermediary that shields the mounting process from environmental factors. Its guide surfaces provide a physical reference and constraint system that maintains precision even when waves and wind are present, allowing installation to continue without requiring perfect weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure is pre-installed on the foundation pile before the super structure is lowered. This preliminary action establishes a predetermined precise path and alignment reference in advance, ensuring that when the super structure is guided along the pre-positioned guide surfaces, proper alignment is achieved automatically regardless of external disturbances.
3Ease of operation
If traditional crane lifting is used for mounting, then the super structure can be positioned, but external forces like wind cause sudden movements and collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure acts as a protective intermediary that physically blocks and redirects the harmful effects of wind and waves. The guide surfaces create a constrained path that prevents the super structure from making sudden sideways movements caused by external forces, thereby eliminating collisions while the crane maintains positioning capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The guide structure enables efficient and precise mounting of super structures under adverse weather conditions, reducing installation time and costs while minimizing damage to the super structure and foundation pile.
Implementation Method 1
Such slip joint is for example known from WO2020/106146 or WO2018/070868. The opening has an inner surface which is shaped according to said conical upper end, such that it can be slipped over said end and forced onto said end by force of gravity.
Implementation Method 2
Such slip joint relies on gravity and friction between the outer surface of said upper end of the pile and the inner surface of the super structure for maintaining the super structure in position
Data Source
AI summary
Method for mounting a super structure over a top end of a foundation pile, wherein the top end has a truncated conical shape and the super structure has an opening fitting over said top end, which opening preferably has a truncated conical peripheral surface fitting over said top end, wherein a guide structure is placed at said top end, comprising at least one sloping guide surface, where after said super structure is lowered over the guide structure onto the top end of the foundation pile.