Large Diameter Piles in Versova Bandra Sea Link Project - A Case Study

Abstract

The construction of bridges in marine environments poses unique challenges that demand innovative solutions to save the ecosystem along with the time and construction cost. Monopiles have emerged as a pivotal component in such conditions and have much reduced impact on marine environment and ecosystem. Monopile foundation is studied to find a good idea for design. It primarily illustrates why a large diameter pile foundation is preferable than a group pile bridge foundation. The motivation behind this study is to analyze the performance of monopile foundation over group pile foundation in marine conditions. This study explores the challenges, and advancements, scheduling in utilizing monopiles for such critical infrastructure projects. Through case studies and technical discussions, the paper aims to provide valuable insights for those who are involved in marine and bridge engineering projects.

Introduction

Overview:
Monopile foundations—large-diameter, single vertical piles—are increasingly used in marine and offshore bridge construction due to their faster installation, cost-effectiveness, and environmental advantages over traditional group pile systems. These foundations are particularly suitable in harsh marine environments, where resistance to lateral loads (from waves, currents, and wind) is critical.

Aim and Objectives:

• Aim: To evaluate the benefits of monopile foundations over group piles in offshore bridge projects using case studies.

• Objectives:

  • Analyze geotechnical and design parameters of large-diameter monopiles.

  • Compare design and construction cycles of monopile and group pile systems.

  • Study construction timelines and real-world performance.

Methodology:

• Literature review of technical papers and design models.

• Case studies from actual bridge projects through site visits and data collection.

Advantages of Monopile Foundations:

• Faster construction (approx. 5 days vs. 10+ days for group piles).

• Lower overall project cost and carbon footprint.

• Requires minimal space—ideal for constrained marine locations.

• Less environmental disruption (only one drilling site).

• No need for pile caps.

• Efficient in locations with existing underground utilities.

Disadvantages:

• Higher initial design and costing efforts.

• Requires expertise and precision.

• More detailed geotechnical investigations.

• Not economical for small-scale bridges.

Key Literature Insights:

1. High-Capacity Piles (2003):
   Large-diameter piles can reduce pile count and project cost (e.g., $14M saved on Caltrans projects) but require rigorous testing.

2. Cyclic Loading on Monopiles (2013):
   Laboratory tests show long-term cyclic loading affects lateral stability; fatigue behavior must be considered.

3. HSR Bridges and Monopiles (2022):
   Monopiles are viable for high-speed rail (HSR) bridges in liquefiable soils and congested zones due to their stiffness and simplicity.

4. Material Optimization (2017/18):
   Cost-effective monopile designs vary with soil type and loading; concrete and fiber-reinforced concrete piles offer economic advantages in some conditions.

5. Soil-Structure Interaction (2021):
   Monopiles offer superior performance and stability in various soil types compared to group piles.

6. Bridge Performance (2022):
   Monopiles reduce bending and lateral deformation under load, improving bridge foundation stability and performance.

7. Implementation in Offshore Bridges (2024):
   Reinforces that monopiles offer cost, environmental, and performance advantages for overwater bridge construction.

8. Scour at Offshore Windfarms (2021):
   Scour (seabed erosion) is a key issue for monopiles; current prediction models are limited under complex tidal conditions.

9. Embedded Length Determination (2010):
   Current design guidelines are overly conservative. Shorter embedded lengths may still achieve necessary stability, reducing material use.

Conclusion

The case studies indicates that the use of large diameter pile technique will reduce the construction time and cost to a considerable extent. Also, there is no need to design the pile cap and pier as the bent pile will continue till the pier head soffit. The design and execution of such piles requires expertise and careful designing that include detailed analysis and proper geotechnical investigations and testing. This method also helps the contractor to achieve the timeline of the project. The large diameter piles also help in protecting the environment as it requires lesser barge movements compared to a group pile. The seabed disruption is also minimal as the number of piles will be cut down by 50% approximately. For the projects with stringent timeline, large diameter piles can really help the construction team to achieve the target on time.

References

[1] Brian A. Liebich. (2003). High-Capacity Piles Confirming the Viability of Cost-Efficient Bridge Designs. TR news 228 September-October 2003. [2] Drilled Shafts: Construction Procedures and Design Methods. Developed following AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 8th Edition, 2018. [3] Jorge Eduardo Perez Loaiza Matr., Prof. Marco di Prisco, Prof. Andrea Galli. Structural design optimisation of single piles. [4] Karatzia, X., & Mylonakis, G. (2017). Horizontal Stiffness and Damping of Piles in homogeneous Soil. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 143(4), Article 04016113. [5] Maddela Jyothi Kiran, Gomasa Ramesh, Dr. Annamalai Rangasamy Prakash.2021. Soil-Structure Interaction Study on Group pile over Monopile Foundation. Published on International Journal for modern trends in science and technology, 7(03):290-294,2021. [6] George Gazetas. 1984. Seismic response of end bearing single piles. International Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 1984, Vol.3, No.2. [7] Prof. Tarranum khan, Yogesh Sudam Gamre, Affan Ahmed Chowdary, Ahad Sharif Sayyad, Asad Abbas Azadar Saiyyed. 2024. Monopile Implementation in Offshore Bridge. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR). Volume 6, Issue 2, March-April 2024. [8] Changjie Zheng, George P. Kouretzis, Xuanming Ding, Hanlong Liu, and Harry G. Poulos. 2016. Three-dimensional effects in low-strain integrity testing of piles: analytical solution. Canadian Geotechnical journal 53(2), Feb-2016. [9] G. G. GOBLE, R. H. SCANLAN and J. J. TOMKO. Dynamic Studies on the Bearing Capacity of Piles. Paper sponsored by Committee on Substructures, Retaining Wal Is and Foundations and presented at the 46th Annual Meeting. [10] Mohamed M. Khalil, Asmaa M. Hassan & Hussein H. Elmamlouk.2020. Dynamic behavior of pile foundations under vertical and lateral vibrations: review of existing codes and manuals. HBRC JOURNAL2020, VOL. 16, NO. 1, 39–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/16874048.2020.1729586 [11] Roesen H.R., Ibsen L.B., Andersen L.V. Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark. 2013. Experimental Testing of Monopiles in Sand Subjected to One-Way Long-Term Cyclic Lateral Loading. Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Paris 2013. [12] Smita K. Badole, Dr. Valsson Varghese. 2022. A Review Study on Aspects of Monopile as Bridge Foundation. International Journal of advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM), Vol 4, Issue 4 Apr 2022. [13] Kementzetzidis E.; Metrikine, A, Versteijlen, Willem Geert, Pisano, F (2020) “Frequency effects in the dynamic lateral stiffness of monopiles in sand: insight from field Tests and 3D FE modeling”. Geotechnique: International journal of Soil mechanics, 71(9), 812-825. [14] Etienne A. Alderlieste, Jelke Dijkstra, A. Frits van Tol. 2011. Experimental investigation into pile diameter effects of laterally loaded mono-piles. 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, June 19-24, 2011. Rotterdam, the Netherlands. [15] Da-wei Guan, Yu-xuan Xie, Zi-shun Yao, Yee-Meng Chiew, Ji-sheng Zhang, Jin-Hai Zheng.2022. Local scour at offshore windfarm monopile foundations: A review. Water Science and EngineeringVolume 15, Issue 1, March 2022, Pages 29-39.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mr. Madhanraj Murugesan, Dr. (Mrs.) Pratibha M. Alankar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.