This thesis investigates the soil-structure interaction and corresponding stability of pneumatic caisson foundations compared to monopile foundations for offshore wind turbines. The monopile foundation has been the industry standard for years, yet pneumatic caisson foundations are being investigated as a possible alternative. This research applies finite element analysis with the software Plaxis 3D to explore the monotonic and cyclic behaviour of the two foundation types, analysing important properties including soil deformation, energy dissipation, and cyclic stability.

The results of the monotonic behaviour analysis show that caissons are experiencing non-linear soil behaviour at lower forces than monopiles. However, their elastic capacity is sufficient to support the environmental loads, resulting in lower displacements under these loads. Monopiles exhibit greater flexibility, energy dissipation, and a tendency to increase soil stiffness over cycles. At the same time, caissons maintain structural stability with small permanent deformation and low energy dissipation, as demonstrated by cyclic loading tests. Pneumatic caissons demonstrate potential as viable alternatives to monopiles, as they offer increased initial rigidity and reduced displacements. Additionally, the pneumatic caisson foundation can provide a solution in environmentally sensitive areas because the pneumatic caissons can be installed with low noise and vibration impacts on the environment. As the load increases to its maximum capacity, the caisson shows a more abrupt failure compared to the monopile. Beyond the load tipping point, where the caisson shows non-linear behaviour, it undergoes significantly more deformations as force increases. The monopile shows a more gradual increase in deformations with an increase in force. As a result, the monopile shows a more gradual failure behaviour.

Practical challenges in the caisson’s production, transportation, and installation need to be overcome. For the production of the big caisson structures, specialised production facilities are required with direct access to the sea. Due to the caisson dimensions used in this thesis, it is too heavy to float and must be transferred using large cranes and barges or semi-submersible vessels. Although this study did not look into it, dimension optimisation or the use of different materials to construct the caisson might save money on transport, particularly if the caisson can float. In order to install the caisson at the correct depth, water must be pumped into its hollow chamber to produce enough downward force to counteract buoyant forces and wall friction.

In summary, the pneumatic caisson foundation offers a viable alternative with advantages in terms of stiffness and lower displacements compared to monopiles. Pneumatic caissons are a promising foundation solution for offshore wind turbines. However, the economic feasibility of the pneumatic caisson method in the offshore environment remains to be examined.

Playa Unión and Puerto Rawson are facing severe coastal erosion and increasingly the negative effects. Since the first half of the 20th century there have been signs of erosion, but also of sedimentation. However, the coastline in the project area is retreating over the years. The situation has recently been declared an emergency. Furthermore, there are several expansion plans for the port consisting of new quay walls and dredging. It is unsure if these plans will influence the erosion. In this report, the following research question is formed: ”What are valued, preferably nature-based, interventions that can mitigate the coastal erosion in Playa Unión and Puerto Rawson considering the planned expansion of the port?” Due to the limited information and data available, assumptions have been made during the research. A site analysis and a CoastSat analysis are conducted to research the morphology of the coastline and its drivers. The coast has been shaped into a steep upper section of coarse granular material and a gentle lower slope with finer material. The main driver of longshore sediment transport in the area are swell waves, with predominant directions SSE and E. This transport is directed from south to north, resulting in the inflow and outflow of sediments. Furthermore, there is a sediment flow from the Chubut river. Due to the construction of the port’s breakwaters, the longshore sediment transport is interrupted, which causes an imbalance in the sediment flow in the system. More sediment flows out of the system than enters, causing coastal erosion. The development of the port contains public as well as private expansion plans and maintenance dredging. The expansion plans will have little effect on its surroundings. The private plan include a parallel breakwater, which alters the natural balance in the area and dredging works, for which the stability of the existing breakwaters has to be figured out. A stakeholder analysis was done to get insights in the opinions and visions of the stakeholders. This was done by interviewing stakeholders and by doing a questionnaire, resulting in a power-interest grid and overview of interests and attitudes. The boundary conditions for the interventions and criteria for the multi-criteria analysis are partly formulated as a result of the stakeholder analysis. The following interventions were considered in this report: • Permeable pile groynes and low crested groynes
• Opening the northern breakwater: opening and reshaping with a curve, constructing tunnels underneath the breakwater and a sediment bypass
• Port expansion and a sediment bypass with power supply southern of the port
• Dredging and moving sediment
• Sediment trap
• Plant vegetation with beach nourishment
• Gravel engine
• Temporary longitudinal flood barrier as a short term intervention.
A conceptual multi-criteria analysis in combination with a nature-based assessment has been conducted to distinguish the most promising interventions in the conceptual design phase. The criteria formulated were effectiveness, easiness of implementation, maintenance, environmental impact and the benefits for recreation. From this, it can be concluded that the gravel engine and the plant vegetation with beach nourishment score the best.