Predicting the foundation performance of offshore jack-up drilling rigs in intermediate soils. The research outcomes will be a major step forward in creating safer operations of mobile platforms in our challenging seabed conditions. The new models and guidelines will assist engineers in the efficient expansion of our offshore oil and gas industry, with significant increased investment projected over the next five years.
A complex systems approach to granular rheology: interconnecting topology, stability, dynamics and function. The response of granular materials (e.g. soil, rocks) to applied stresses and strains will be characterised in detail. Information mined from experimental and simulation tests will be used to develop robust predictive models of granular behaviour, crucial for effective earthquake mitigation as well as greener mining and construction technologies.