Jetted helical anchors in sand: a torque reducing technique

Juliano Nieiedt; Phil Watson; Christophe  Gaudin; Conleth D.  O’Loughlin; Danielle Bertalot; Mike  Rattley; Scott Whyte; Michael Brown

doi:10.53243/ISFOG2025-12

Jetted helical anchors in sand: a torque reducing technique

Juliano Nieiedt
, Phil Watson
, Christophe Gaudin
, Conleth D. O’Loughlin
, Danielle Bertalot
, Mike Rattley
, Scott Whyte
, Michael Brown

Civil Engineering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

67 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Jetting is a proven technique for reducing installation force during pile installation, although it can lead to reduced axial and lateral capacity due to soil disturbance. This paper explores the innovative application of jetting to helical anchors, which are a promising, efficient and environmentally friendly foundation solution for anchoring floating renewable energy devices. A pilot campaign of centrifuge tests in sand was conducted to assess how varying jetting flow rates impact the installation torque and subsequent pull-out capacity. Results demonstrate that jetting can lower the installation torque required for helical anchors compared to non-jetted installation, with only a moderate reduction in ultimate tensile capacity. These proof-of-concept tests underscore the potential of jetted helical anchor installations as a solution to overcome high torque demands, thus enhancing the feasibility of helical anchors as reliable offshore anchoring solutions.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS
Editors	C. N. Abadie, Z. Li, M. Blanc, L. Thorel
Publisher	International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	9782857827580
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.53243/ISFOG2025-12
Publication status	Published - 9 Jun 2025
Event	5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS 2025 - Nantes, France Duration: 9 Jun 2025 → 13 Jun 2025 Conference number: 5 https://www.issmge.org/publications/review-platform/conferences/isfog2025

Conference

Conference	5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS 2025
Abbreviated title	ISFOG 2025
Country/Territory	France
City	Nantes
Period	9/06/25 → 13/06/25
Internet address	https://www.issmge.org/publications/review-platform/conferences/isfog2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

Screw anchor
jetted
SAND
floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Civil and Structural Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

Access to Document

10.53243/ISFOG2025-12Licence: Other

ISFOG2025-12Final published version, 1.53 MBLicence: Other

Supergen Wind Challenge 2015: Screw Piles for Wind Energy Foundation Systems (Joint with Universities of Durham and Southampton)
Brennan, A. (Investigator), Brown, M. (Investigator) & Knappett, J. (Investigator)
26/02/16 → 25/07/19
Project: Research

4 Conference contribution
4 Article
2 Paper
1 Abstract

Centrifuge Modeling of the Installation Advancement Ratio Effect on the Cyclic Response of a Single-Helix Screw Pile for Floating Offshore Wind
Wang, W. (Lead / Corresponding author), Brown, M., Sharif, Y. U., Davidson, C. & Ciantia, M. O., 1 Jan 2025, In: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering. 151, 1, 18 p., 04024133.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
5 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)

221 Downloads (Pure)
Centrifuge modelling of drag embedment anchors subjected to inclined loading for floating wind
Sharif, Y., Davidson, C., Brown, M., Brennan, A., Coombs, W. M., Bird, R. E., Augarde, C., Carter, G., Macdonald, C. & Johnson, K. R., 9 Jun 2025, Proceedings of the 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS. Abadie, C. N., Li, Z., Blanc, M. & Thorel, L. (eds.). International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 7 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Open Access
File
72 Downloads (Pure)
Helically embedded plate anchors for floating offshore wind: potential and proof of concept
Hidayat, W., Nieiedt, J., O’Loughlin, C. D., Watson, P., Gaudin, C., Bertalot, D., Rattley, M., Whyte, S. & Brown, M., 9 Jun 2025, Proceedings of the 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS. Abadie, C. N., Li, Z., Blanc, M. & Thorel, L. (eds.). International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 7 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Open Access
File
116 Downloads (Pure)

Cyclic performance of screw piles for offshore floating wind
Wang, W. (Author), Brown, M. (Supervisor) & Ciantia, M. (Supervisor), 2025
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy

File
Investigating the performance of continuous helical displacement piles
Jeffrey, J. (Author), Brown, M. (Supervisor), 2012
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy

File
Screw piles as offshore foundations : Numerical and physical modelling
Al-Baghdadi, T. (Author), Brown, M. (Supervisor) & Knappett, J. (Supervisor), 2018
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy

File

University of Dundee Test Data for the EPSRC Supergen Wind Hub Grand Challenges Project: Screw Piles for Wind Energy Foundations (Grant no. EP/N006054/1)
Davidson, C. (Creator), Brown, M. (Creator), Knappett, J. (Creator) & Brennan, A. (Creator), University of Dundee, 23 Feb 2022
DOI: 10.15132/10000176, https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.18.P.311 and one more link, https://www.screwpilesforoffshorewind.co.uk/#:~:text=Screw%20(or%20helical)%20piles%20are,good%20tensile%20and%20compressive%20resistance. (show fewer)
Dataset

File
Centrifuge dataset for screw pile cyclic performance
Wang, W. (Creator), Brown, M. (Contributor), Davidson, C. (Contributor), Ciantia, M. (Contributor) & Sharif, Y. (Contributor), University of Dundee, 21 May 2025
DOI: 10.15132/10000269
Dataset

File

Dundee projects and academics recognised in Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025
Rodriguez, A., Nic Daeid, N. & Brown, M.
12/02/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
How we stop floating wind turbines the size of skyscrapers from drifting away
Brown, M. & Knappett, J.
23/05/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
Screw anchors could enable floating deep-sea wind farms
Knappett, J., Cerfontaine, B. & Brown, M.
16/12/19
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research

Institution of Civil Engineers Geotechnical Research Medal 2023
Davidson, C. (Recipient), Brown, M. (Recipient), Cerfontaine, B. (Recipient), Knappett, J. (Recipient), Brennan, A. (Recipient), Al-Baghdadi, T. (Recipient), Augarde, C. (Recipient), Coombs, W. M. (Recipient), Wang, L. (Recipient), Blake, A. (Recipient), Richards, D. (Recipient) & Ball, J. D. (Recipient), 13 Oct 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Institution of Civil Engineers Telford Gold Medal 2024
Cerfontaine, B. (Recipient), Brown, M. (Recipient), Knappett, J. (Recipient), Davidson, C. (Recipient), Sharif, Y. (Recipient), Huisman, M. (Recipient), Ottolini, M. (Recipient) & Ball, J. D. (Recipient), 11 Oct 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025 finalist
Brown, M. (Recipient), Davidson, C. (Recipient), Sharif, Y. (Recipient), Robinson, S. (Recipient), Cerfontaine, B. (Recipient), Ciantia, M. (Recipient), Ottolini, M. (Recipient), Sonnema, W. (Recipient) & Huisman, M. (Recipient), 12 Feb 2025
Prize: National/international honour

Cite this

Nieiedt, J., Watson, P., Gaudin, C., O’Loughlin, C. D., Bertalot, D., Rattley, M., Whyte, S., & Brown, M. (2025). Jetted helical anchors in sand: a torque reducing technique. In C. N. Abadie, Z. Li, M. Blanc, & L. Thorel (Eds.), Proceedings of the 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. https://doi.org/10.53243/ISFOG2025-12

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title = "Jetted helical anchors in sand: a torque reducing technique",

abstract = "Jetting is a proven technique for reducing installation force during pile installation, although it can lead to reduced axial and lateral capacity due to soil disturbance. This paper explores the innovative application of jetting to helical anchors, which are a promising, efficient and environmentally friendly foundation solution for anchoring floating renewable energy devices. A pilot campaign of centrifuge tests in sand was conducted to assess how varying jetting flow rates impact the installation torque and subsequent pull-out capacity. Results demonstrate that jetting can lower the installation torque required for helical anchors compared to non-jetted installation, with only a moderate reduction in ultimate tensile capacity. These proof-of-concept tests underscore the potential of jetted helical anchor installations as a solution to overcome high torque demands, thus enhancing the feasibility of helical anchors as reliable offshore anchoring solutions.",

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Nieiedt, J, Watson, P, Gaudin, C, O’Loughlin, CD, Bertalot, D, Rattley, M, Whyte, S & Brown, M 2025, Jetted helical anchors in sand: a torque reducing technique. in CN Abadie, Z Li, M Blanc & L Thorel (eds), Proceedings of the 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS. International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS 2025, Nantes, France, 9/06/25. https://doi.org/10.53243/ISFOG2025-12

Jetted helical anchors in sand: a torque reducing technique. / Nieiedt, Juliano; Watson, Phil; Gaudin, Christophe et al.
Proceedings of the 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS. ed. / C. N. Abadie; Z. Li; M. Blanc; L. Thorel. International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2025.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Jetted helical anchors in sand

T2 - 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS 2025

AU - Nieiedt, Juliano

AU - Watson, Phil

AU - Gaudin, Christophe

AU - O’Loughlin, Conleth D.

AU - Bertalot, Danielle

AU - Rattley, Mike

AU - Whyte, Scott

AU - Brown, Michael

N1 - Conference code: 5

PY - 2025/6/9

Y1 - 2025/6/9

N2 - Jetting is a proven technique for reducing installation force during pile installation, although it can lead to reduced axial and lateral capacity due to soil disturbance. This paper explores the innovative application of jetting to helical anchors, which are a promising, efficient and environmentally friendly foundation solution for anchoring floating renewable energy devices. A pilot campaign of centrifuge tests in sand was conducted to assess how varying jetting flow rates impact the installation torque and subsequent pull-out capacity. Results demonstrate that jetting can lower the installation torque required for helical anchors compared to non-jetted installation, with only a moderate reduction in ultimate tensile capacity. These proof-of-concept tests underscore the potential of jetted helical anchor installations as a solution to overcome high torque demands, thus enhancing the feasibility of helical anchors as reliable offshore anchoring solutions.

AB - Jetting is a proven technique for reducing installation force during pile installation, although it can lead to reduced axial and lateral capacity due to soil disturbance. This paper explores the innovative application of jetting to helical anchors, which are a promising, efficient and environmentally friendly foundation solution for anchoring floating renewable energy devices. A pilot campaign of centrifuge tests in sand was conducted to assess how varying jetting flow rates impact the installation torque and subsequent pull-out capacity. Results demonstrate that jetting can lower the installation torque required for helical anchors compared to non-jetted installation, with only a moderate reduction in ultimate tensile capacity. These proof-of-concept tests underscore the potential of jetted helical anchor installations as a solution to overcome high torque demands, thus enhancing the feasibility of helical anchors as reliable offshore anchoring solutions.

KW - Screw anchor

KW - jetted

KW - SAND

KW - floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT)

U2 - 10.53243/ISFOG2025-12

DO - 10.53243/ISFOG2025-12

M3 - Conference contribution

BT - Proceedings of the 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS

A2 - Abadie, C. N.

A2 - Li, Z.

A2 - Blanc, M.

A2 - Thorel, L.

PB - International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

Y2 - 9 June 2025 through 13 June 2025

ER -

Nieiedt J, Watson P, Gaudin C, O’Loughlin CD, Bertalot D, Rattley M et al. Jetted helical anchors in sand: a torque reducing technique. In Abadie CN, Li Z, Blanc M, Thorel L, editors, Proceedings of the 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIERS IN OFFSHORE GEOTECHNICS. International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. 2025 doi: 10.53243/ISFOG2025-12

Jetted helical anchors in sand: a torque reducing technique

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this