Bridging knowledge gaps in pile-run risk prediction
Pile-Run Risk Assessment Project kicks off
A new research initiative, Pile-Run Risk Assessment (PiRRA), has been launched to tackle one of the most critical and unpredictable risks in offshore wind foundation installation: pile-run. This phenomenon, in which a pile suddenly and uncontrollably plunges through weak soil layers, can create major safety hazards, drive up costs, and cause significant project delays.
Current assessment methods are mainly static and struggle to capture the fast-changing, dynamic soil behaviour that occurs during pile driving. As offshore wind farms move into more complex seabed conditions, the need for more reliable and realistic prediction tools has become increasingly urgent.
This project marks the first step in a longer-term effort to close this knowledge gap. By combining insights from existing research and practical industry experience, the project will map the strengths and limitations of today’s pile-run risk assessment approaches and identify the most pressing areas for improvement.
Working closely with industry partners and technical experts, the team will explore new modelling directions that better account for pore-pressure effects, soil layering, and real-world installation data. The outcome will be a report that presents the current state of pile-run risk assessment, including the limitations of existing models identified through a literature review. The report also includes a roadmap for a larger R&D programme to advance dynamic pile-run prediction models, with improved representation of soil behaviour and the effective use of real-world pile-driving data.
