PhD Opportunities – Predicting Vibro-Driven Pile Installation from Cyclic Cone Penetration Testing
Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS)
University of Western Australia (UWA)
Closing date: 15 December 2025
Vibro-installed piles are an emerging alternative to conventional impact-driven piles that currently support the majority of offshore wind turbines. As offshore wind expands globally, there is an increasing need for quieter, more efficient, and more sustainable installation methods—making vibro-driving an attractive option.
Geotechnical site investigations for offshore wind farms routinely include cone penetration testing (CPT). This PhD research program aims to enhance understanding of the soil–structure interaction mechanisms occurring during vibratory pile installation and to establish whether cyclic penetrometer tests can reliably predict pile response during vibro-driving.
Research Objectives
The overarching goal is to develop improved design and prediction methods for vibro-driven piles by combining insights from:
- Centrifuge modelling at the forefront of experimental geomechanics
- Advanced numerical simulation of pile–soil interaction during vibratory installation
- Cyclic cone penetration testing across a range of soil types
These projects will contribute directly to the advancement of offshore renewable energy foundations.
Available PhD Projects
PhD Project 1 – Vibro-Driven Pile Response in Sandy Soils
Focus on the physical processes governing pile penetration in sand under vibratory loading, including soil densification, pore pressure generation, and installation resistance.
PhD Project 2 – Vibro-Driven Pile Response in Clayey Soils
Investigate the behaviour of soft to stiff clays during vibro-driving, including undrained cyclic response, excess pore water pressure, and remoulding effects.
PhD Project 3 – Evolution of Cyclic Cone Penetration Response in Different Soils
Examine how repeated penetration affects CPT resistance across a variety of sands, silts, and clays, and evaluate its suitability for predicting vibro-driven pile installation performance.
Supervision Team
Students will be supervised by a combination of:
- Professor Britta Bienen (UWA)
- Dr Patrick Staubach (Bauhaus University Weimar)*
- Professor Fraser Bransby (UWA)
- Other members of the COFS academic team
*Collaborative supervision arrangement with Bauhaus ensures strong international research exposure.
Scholarship and Support
- Tax-free stipend: AU$38,850 per year (indexed annually)
- Tuition fees: Fully covered (if applicable)
- Access to world-class centrifuge facilities and computational resources at COFS
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should have:
- A first-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or related area
- Experience or strong interest in offshore geotechnical engineering, particularly foundations for offshore wind
- Evidence of research ability (thesis, publications, or project experience)
- English proficiency (IELTS or equivalent), if required
How to Apply
Send the following documents in a single email to Dr Britta Bienen:
📧 britta.bienen@uwa.edu.au
Include:
- Curriculum vitae
- Full academic transcripts
- List of publications (if any)
- English language test results (if applicable)
More information about applying for a research degree at UWA:
🔗 https://researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/
About the Author
