| Unit name | Offshore Foundation Systems |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CADEM0027 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Diambra |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Geotechnical Design (CENG30016) or equivalent. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
If not already taken, Geotechnical Design (CENG30016) or equivalent. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
This unit cannot be taken alongside Soil-Structure Interaction (CENGM0076). |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Civil engineering and geotechnics provide essential infrastructure to support societal needs and facilitate critical developments. In the fight against climate change and the pursuit of 'Net-Zero' targets, offshore renewable energy systems, particularly offshore wind energy, play a pivotal role. Geotechnical engineers are central to this effort, offering safe, cost-efficient, and reliable support structures for these key engineering advancements.
This unit focuses on offshore renewables and aims to equip students with the tools, knowledge, and critical thinking required to design advanced foundation systems—a topic not currently addressed in the current Civil Engineering degree programme, but vital for any skilled geotechnical engineer. Students will learn to design a broad range of foundations capable of withstanding complex and evolving loading conditions, including monotonic, cyclic, and dynamic loads. It is worth noting that the primary design concepts taught in this unit will also be applicable to onshore foundation systems, making the knowledge gained relevant and valuable beyond the offshore sector.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Foundation engineering is a branch of geotechnical engineering focusing on the design and construction of foundation elements for different types of structures. In our Civil Engineering programme, geotechnical engineering is taught across all years of study, including Engineering Geology (delivered as part of Field Methods in Year 1), Geomechanics (in Year 2), Geotechnical Design (in Year 3, where principles of foundation engineering are introduced), as well as optional specialised M/level units, including this one. Practical applications of geotechnics and foundation engineering are also included in the Design units of the programme.
An overview of content
This unit equips students with the knowledge and skills required to design advanced foundation systems, with a particular emphasis on applications in offshore renewable energy. However, the fundamental concepts and advanced design methodologies covered are equally applicable to onshore foundation systems, ensuring its relevance and value for any aspiring geotechnical engineer.
Students will explore the unique challenges of geotechnical design and construction in offshore environments, including considerations for complex, cyclic, and evolving loading and seabed conditions. The unit covers the full spectrum of foundation design, from site investigation to geotechnical analysis and design, utilizing state-of-the-art modelling techniques. Students will develop a solid technical understanding of advanced design and modelling methods while engaging hands-on practice through computer lab sessions.
Assessment will include a written exam designed to evaluate students' grasp of both the technical content and the practical skills acquired in the labs.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to design advanced foundation systems, with a particular emphasis on offshore renewable energy applications. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges associated with offshore design and construction, including the complexities of working in dynamic and evolving marine environments.
Through this unit, students will explore a wide range of offshore foundation systems, learning the principles behind their selection, design, and analysis. By addressing these advanced topics, the unit aims to develop the next generation of engineers specializing in offshore and onshore geotechnics.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the unit the student should be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Preparation for summative assessment is from a combination of practice questions and interactive laboratory sessions with direct, immediate feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
100% - Invigilated Exam (assessing all ILOs).
When assessment does not go to plan
Reassessment will occur during the reassessment period to assess failed ILOs, if appropriate to the student’s programme of study.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CADEM0027).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
