Large concrete or steel structures that sit on the seabed, relying on their weight to resist loads.
Offshore geotechnical engineering is a specialized branch of civil engineering concerned with the behavior of seabed soils and the design, construction, and maintenance of foundations for human-made structures in the marine environment. It plays a critical role in the oil and gas sector and is essential for the rapid expansion of offshore wind farms. 1. The Marine Environment and Soil Behavior
Unlike onshore soil, seabed sediments are often softer, under-consolidated, or subject to complex loading environments. Offshore Geotechnical Engineering
Drag anchors and vertical load anchors designed to secure floating oil/gas platforms and floating wind turbines. 4. Pipeline and Cable Geotechnics
Structures must withstand wave, wind, and current loads, which induce significant lateral and cyclic forces on foundations. Large concrete or steel structures that sit on
Geotechnical engineers also design the interactions between subsea pipelines/cables and the seabed.
Inverted bucket foundations that use suction to embed into the seabed, ideal for floating structures. Offshore Site Investigation (SI)
Potential hazards include landslides, mudslides, pockmarks, and liquefaction. 2. Offshore Site Investigation (SI)