Michael A. Wood

The effect of sediment stiffness on the piling pulse—Results from a wave-equation analysis model

The rapid expansion of wind farms in UK waters has led to increased concern of the anthropogenic noise emitted into the sea due to piling. The piling process generates high levels of noise capable of propagating over long distances in the water column; it is important that this noise can be predicted, and the likely environmental impact determined. The model presented in this work comprises a method known as Wave Equation Analysis of Piles. This technique models the stress-wave as it propagates along the pile using a finite-difference approach. Additionally, the plastic nature of the sediment is modeled at both the pile wall and pile toe. Previous work has shown that by considering the radial expansion of the pile, the results of this model may be coupled to an acoustic model. The effect of the sediment on the pile motion has previously received little attention. The results show that although the first downward-going pulse is independent of the sediment parameters, reflected pulses are affected. The calc...