“Monopile design through centrifuge technology” themed OSIG Evening Geoforum was held on the 4th of December 2018 at the canteen of Ørsted in London, UK. This event is a part of the benchmark test program, which aims to increase the knowledge about centrifuge modelling in general and modelling of monopiles specifically. The benchmark test program is a large coordinated centrifuge-testing program of laterally loaded monopiles in sand which has been initiated across 8 different centrifuge facilities. The first part of the project focuses on monotonic loading in sand and modelling uncertainties. The final goal is to extend the project to multidirectional cyclic loading in sand and clay.

The event was arranged by OSIG-SUT and Ørsted and brought together over 80 people from industry and academia from all around the world, thus showing emerging interest in geotechnical centrifuge modelling.

Event organizer Dr. Rasmus Klinkvort from Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) started the opening remarks. Then, Dr. Britta Bienen from the University of Western Australia (UWA) presented about the testing program and elaborated on "why we use centrifuges". Dr. Rasmus followed another presentation on initial results from the benchmark testing. The results show people that it is possible to model the same prototype response using different sands, different piles and different centrifuges as long as the proper scaling laws are considered. Finally, Dr. Jonathan Black from the University of Sheffield made a presentation about testing in the future. Here, the focus was on new possibilities, a need for more testing and also funding possibilities.

The presentations were well received and there was a small Q&A session at the end of the evening for the audience to ask questions. The audience actively involved in the Q&A and a lot of positive feedback were gained.

The purpose of monopile benchmark test program are demonstrating modelling techniques, encouraging joint research and sharing between related groups in the field, and increasing impact on the industry and the society. It provided a platform for exchanging ideas and achievements. More details of the project are available on the TC 104 website (https://sites.google.com/view/issmgetc104).