Experimental investigations on monopile tip buckling during impact driving

Some experimental investigations and practical projects report large deformation at the pile tip during the installation process. These large deformations generated at the pile tip are commonly referred to as 'pile tip bucking'. This can lead to slowing down or interruption of the pile penetration process. For the design of monopiles, there is no established method for assessment of the potential damage of pile tip during the installation. This paper presents results of small-scale model testing of pile buckling during impact driving in sand. Results from 1g model tests using steel boulder are presented and discussed. The model test setup, materials used, sand preparation method, laboratory driving system as well as measurement techniques are described and explained. The final deformed shape of the model pile is determined by means of a 3D optical scanning system.