An underwater pile 10 comprises a pump 24 in fluid communication with an internal chamber 20 of the pile 10 to pump water out of or into the chamber during installation or removal of the pile, thus reducing or increasing a level of pressure of water in the chamber relative to ambient pressure of water outside the chamber. A pressure variator 32 is in fluid communication with the chamber 20 for imparting oscillations 28 in the pressure of the water in the chamber. A method of using this pile to reduce resistance to movement of the pile is further provided. The oscillations may vibrate a wall of the pile in contact with the soil 16 and may drive oscillatory vertical movement of the pile. The oscillations may drive pressure waves 28 downwardly through the water in the chamber to impact against the soil. The pump and variator may share a common port and be disposed in parallel or in series. The pump may be a jet pump and an outlet of the variator may communicate with a motive fluid inlet of the pump. Alternatively, the pump and resistor communicate with the chamber through respective separate ports 22 and 36.
Installation and removal of subsea foundations
2023-06-21
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch