Validation of a finite element modelling approach for mitigated and unmitigated pile driving noise prognosis

Abstract

Piles are the state-of-the-art foundation type for offshore structures like offshore wind turbines. The pile driving process induces high sound pressure levels into the water, which are potentially harmful for the marine environment. To protect the marine life, regulations for these levels apply in many regions of the world. Therefore, detailed pile driving noise models are necessary to allow for both a prognosis of the underwater noise levels and the dimensioning and optimization of possible noise mitigation systems. In this paper, an established model based on a finite element approach is validated by means of three measurement campaigns. These have been conducted at different sites in the North Sea and include piling with and without noise mitigation measures. The noise mitigation systems are modelled as fully absorbing by applying a mixed Dirichlet-Neumann boundary condition at its position. Therefore, the computational results with noise mitigation measures are generally below the measured data and present the highest achievable noise reduction. The measurement campaigns have been conducted with a big bubble curtain and a noise mitigation screen. The occurring differences between the modelled and measured results with and without noise mitigation are shown.