Prestressing: recovery of the lost art

Bristol University's Adam Crewe hold a new book, from leading seismologist Roger Musson (British Geological Survey) in high regard.

Nearly three years after they were introduced, to what extent are Eurocodes really being implemented in the UK? CSC's Chief Engineer, Alan Rathbone, discusses the progress the industry has made to date and encourages UK engineers to be at the forefront of these changes.

Several reports of offshore wind turbine topside structures settling on their monopile foundation structure have come to light. In response, a joint industry project was initiated by Det Norske Veritas (DNV). It found that the axial capacity of the grouted connections is more sensitive to the diameter (capacity reducing more than predicted at larger diameters) and surface tolerances than had been accounted for in the existing design standards. This paper reviews the past and present industry practice relating to the design of grouted connections in monopile structures. The physical behaviour of the connections is explained and some of the most critical issues relating to the design of large diameter grouted connections are assessed.