Overcoming seabed challenges for DEME
“When DEME encountered challenging seabed conditions, they approached us with the request to design spudcan extensions for the Sea Installer and Sea Challenger, two advanced GustoMSC-designed units. From start of the concept design to the installation of the extensions at the spudcans, all completed within eight months.

The goal of these extensions is to reduce the risk of punch-through or to decrease the penetration depth in soft soils, ensuring more leg length above water. Due to the spudcan extensions, the spudcan bearing area is almost doubled, effectively halving seabed pressure during maximum preload.

The extensions for the Sea Installer and Sea Challenger are temporary, allowing for flexible installation based on project needs. Notably, this installation could be performed underwater by divers, eliminating the need for a dry dock.

Each spudcan extension is firmly locked onto the spudcan by two rotatable wickets, which are fastened by two tension rods. With these wickets in place, the spudcan extension can be retracted from the seabed by pulling on the legs using the jacking system. The design of this locking system was a challenge and a testament to our engineering!”

Read more about our expertise and how we can support your next project.