Modular Offshore Foundation for Fast Seabed Installation and Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore foundations are difficult and time-consuming to install and remove, and lack versatility for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A foundation with a cylindrical wall composed of interlocking wall sections and a downwardly open hollow space, allowing it to float, be towed, and penetrate the seabed using bottom pumps and riser pipes for easy installation, and be raised using fluid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional offshore foundations (monopile, gravity, suction caisson) are used, then load-bearing capacity is achieved, but installation and removal become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is divided into multiple wall sections that can be installed separately and connected together. Each wall section can be independently handled during installation and removal, significantly reducing the time and difficulty compared to installing a single large foundation structure. The segmented design allows for modular assembly while maintaining overall structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation structure incorporates movable elements including the ability to move the wall sections vertically and horizontally during installation and removal. The hollow space within the wall sections can be filled with fluid to adjust buoyancy, enabling the structure to be raised or lowered as needed. This dynamic capability allows for easy installation and removal without permanent anchoring.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional offshore foundations are used, then structural stability is achieved, but versatility for different applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation structure is designed with a universal configuration that can be adapted to various offshore applications. The modular wall sections can be arranged in different patterns and configurations to suit different load requirements and site conditions. The same basic structure can serve multiple purposes including wind turbine foundations, oil and gas platforms, or other offshore structures, eliminating the need for application-specific foundation designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation incorporates adjustable and movable components that allow reconfiguration for different applications. The wall sections can be positioned at various depths and angles, and the hollow spaces can be filled with different fluids to adjust buoyancy and stability characteristics. This dynamic adaptability enables the same structure to serve multiple functions across different offshore environments.
3Strength
If the foundation structure is made robust for load-bearing, then strength is improved, but ease of installation and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the robust foundation structure into smaller wall sections, each section maintains sufficient strength for load-bearing while being easier to handle and install. The segmented design allows cranes and installation equipment to manipulate individual sections rather than a single large structure, significantly improving ease of operation during installation and removal while preserving overall structural strength through proper connection design.
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation incorporates dynamic elements such as fluid-filled hollow spaces that can be adjusted during installation and removal operations. By controlling fluid pressure, the structure's effective weight and buoyancy can be modified to facilitate easier handling of strong structural components. This dynamic adjustment allows robust sections to be moved and positioned with reduced effort.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the foundation is designed for permanent installation, then stability is improved, but reusability and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to transition between stable installed positions and movable states. The hollow wall sections can be filled with fluid to create buoyancy, enabling the structure to be raised and relocated after installation. This dynamic capability maintains stability during operation while enabling reuse and relocation for different applications, eliminating the permanent commitment of traditional foundations.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular wall section design facilitates easy disassembly and recovery of foundation components. After serving one application, the wall sections can be detached, recovered, and reused in other offshore applications. This recovering capability enhances reusability and sustainability while maintaining installation stability when properly assembled and secured in the operational configuration.
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
Facilitates quick and easy installation and removal, enabling reuse and versatility for multiple offshore applications.
Implementation Method 1
The foundation can be made to float by providing a hollow space inside the wall
Implementation Method 2
The foundation can be raised or lowered by transferring fluid into or out of the hollow space
Data Source
AI summary
A foundation is for an offshore structure. The foundation includes a wall forming a closed perimeter and a top deck attached to the upper end of the wall, wherein the wall and the top deck define a downwardly open hollow space. The wall includes a plurality of wall sections. Each wall section has a first elongated hollow body and a second elongated hollow body arranged inside the first elongated hollow body. The lower end of the first elongated hollow body is closed by an end member that is provided with an opening through which the lower end of the second elongated hollow body is arranged to extend. A method is for installing a foundation into the ground.