Abstract:
Grouted connection is one of the important parts of the monopile for the offshore wind turbine. The stability of the monopile foundation is mostly dependent on the loading capacity of the groutent connection. The parameters such as the length, the shear keys and the shape of the grouted connection are considered. And the bearing capacity of the grouted connections is investigated through model tests with four kinds of specimens, named shorter without shear keys, shorter with shear keys, longer with shear keys and conical with shear keys. The influence of the parameters of the grouted connection is analyzed. Analysis results show that the bearing capacity characteristics of the specimen of the longer with the shear keys are worse than those of the specimen of the conical with shear keys, but better than those of the specimen of the shorter with shear keys. And the bearing capacity characteristics of the specimen of the shorter without shear keys are the worst. The effects of the shear keys and the conical designing on increasing the bearing capacity of the grouted connection are improved. Thus, this model test study can provide a reference for the design of the grouted connection for the monopile of the offshore wind turbine.