The SAGE-SAND project
The foundations of Offshore Wind Turbines (OWT) represent a large share of their installation costs and environmental impact. In order to improve both aspects, the SAGE-SAND project investigates the evolution during multiple years of soils’ mechanical properties, called soil ageing, and the alternative use of vibratory driving for installation and decommissioning of offshore (mono)piles. Large-scale hollow steel pile tests with extensive monitoring, advanced laboratory tests and numerical modeling at multiple spatial scales will provide guidelines for future projects.
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Academic partners
The SAGE-SAND project brings together the complementary expertise of KU Leuven, UCLouvain, and ULiege
Funding
The SAGE-SAND project is funded by the federal government's Energy Transition Fund (ETF). This fund promotes energy research, development, and innovation. The goal is to support the energy transition towards more renewable energy, such as offshore wind, greater flexibility, and higher security of supply.
WP1 - Large scale tests and monitoring
The first work package deals with the extensive geotechnical characterization of a test site in the port of Zeebrugge.
WP2 - Micromechanical characterization
The second work package involves advanced micromechanical and chemical characterization.
WP3 - Micromechanical modeling
The third work package deals with the development of multiphysical modeling at the microscale.
WP4 - Macroscale modeling
The fourth work package deals with numerical modeling at the macroscale.
Blind prediction competition
A blind prediction competition for the lateral pile capacity is organized in collaboration with TC212 Deep Foundations of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.
Industry and Government Partners
This research project is made possible through collaborative efforts with our valued external partners from industry and government in Belgium and the Netherlands. Their contributions include sharing expertise, engaging in technical discussions, providing critical data, offering in-kind support for pile installation and testing, and dedicating skilled personnel to work on the project. Together, we are driving innovation and achieving impactful results.
DIESEKO Group
for supporting the project with vibratory hammers
and vibratory installation desk studies
Jan De Nul Group
CAPEHOLLANDGeotechnical Department of the Flemish Goverment
DepartementMobiliteit en Openbare Werken - NeXperta
for supporting the project with in-situ
geotechnical investigation and laboratory tests
FONDYTEST
for supporting the project with in-situ measurements
during the impact driving of piles
ARTES
for their invaluable assistance in transferring the piles to the site location
and preparation for the pile tests
Pile Dynamics Inc 
for supporting the project with software licences
for pile installation predictions and analyses
CloudPiling