Insights

Mitigating Pile Run: Demonstrating Pile Run Parachute (PRP) Technology

In our article, Understanding Pile Run and How to Mitigate Risks, we outlined the increasing relevance of pile run as a critical risk factor in offshore wind monopile (MP) installation. As the industry moves toward larger turbines and more challenging waters, the complexity of foundation installation grows—and with it, the need for robust pile run strategies.

TWD has developed an R&D solution to address this challenge: the Pile Run Parachute (PRP). This internal damping system is designed to slow down a falling monopile during a pile run event, thereby protecting both equipment and personnel.

Uncontrolled Pile Descent

Pile run occurs when the resistance of the seabed is insufficient to hold a monopile, either because of its weight or momentum. This can happen due to a combination of high pile mass and weak or layered soil conditions—particularly when a weaker layer of soil or sediment is located underneath a stronger one. The result is a sudden acceleration of the pile, which can lead to:

• Structural damage to the monopile
• Overloading of crane and lifting equipment
• Risk to vessel stability and crew safety
• Deviation from installation tolerances

Pile run can occur at multiple stages of the installation process, including initial placement on the seabed, hammer installation, and while driving. Its unpredictable nature makes it a significant operational hazard.

Pile Run Parachute (PRP)

The PRP is a passive, internal damping device installed inside the monopile. It consists of a high-tension, flexible membrane reinforced with a wire mesh. When a pile begins to fall, water is forced through the PRP’s orifice, generating hydraulic resistance that slows the descent.

Key design features include:

• The PRP restricts water flow through the pile, creating a controlled pressure drop that limits acceleration.
• The system is integrated within the pile without affecting driving efficiency.
• The materials and design allow for repeated use across multiple installations.

Demonstration and testing

In this demonstration video, TWD’s R&D Manager Bas van Wuijckhuijse showcases the PRP’s performance using a transparent water tank. The test compared pile behavior with and without the PRP installed. Without the PRP, the pile accelerated rapidly, causing a visible jolt in the lifting wire. With the PRP, the descent was significantly damped, to a controllable speed and prevent impact forces.

Next steps: validation and collaboration

Together with MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands), TWD is preparing for prototype testing using a 1:10 scale model. This phase is aimed at validating the Pile Run Parachute’s hydrodynamic performance, material durability, and compatibility with standard monopile installation methods.

TWD is currently seeking development partners to support the next stage of this innovation. By joining the development effort, partners contribute to the advancement of a practical safety solution towards offshore wind project readiness. Test plans will be tailored to align with each partner’s project pipeline, ensuring relevance and applicability.

Development partners will receive:

• Full access to all test data – both raw and post-processed
• An executive summary outlining key test results
• The opportunity to attend the test day and observe system performance firsthand
• Options for time-bound exclusivity

To explore partnership opportunities or request more information, please get in touch with TWD’s R&D Manager Bas van Wuijckhuijse ([email protected]) or Lead Business Developer Wesley de Groot ([email protected]).