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Researchers at the Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems, UWA, were recognised through two awards presented this week at the annual meeting of the Canadian Geotechnical Society, in Regina Canada. COFS-authored papers were given the RM Quigley Award for the best paper published in 2013 in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal, and an RM Quigley Honourable Mention as runner-up in this competition.

The papers were lead-authored by COFS PhD graduates, Zack Westgate and Divya Mana and co-authored by their supervisors Professors Mark Randolph, Susan Gourvenec and David White. These awards highlight the quality of COFS' research - it is rare for two papers from the same institution to gain top annual ranking in the same journal.

As well as the academic recognition of these awards, the research has had impact in industry. Zack's paper, entitled "Modelling the embedment process during pipe-laying on fine-grained soils" is one of 7 papers from his PhD, which has led to new methods for assessing the embedment behaviour of subsea pipelines that are used widely in industry. After graduating from UWA, Zack joined local firm, Advanced Geomechanics (now Fugro AG),  and is currently based in Fugro's Houston office.

"I'm now enjoying the opportunity to transfer the knowledge from my PhD into the design practices used by Fugro on offshore pipeline projects in the US and worldwide" said Zack. His research is cited in the international standards that advise on subsea pipeline design, and has already been applied by Fugro AG on many projects across Australia and worldwide.

Meanwhile, Divya's paper, entitled "Experimental investigation of reverse end bearing of offshore shallow foundations" has led to design tools that are already being applied to assess potential anchoring systems for large floating oil and gas platforms offshore Australia. Her supervisor, Professor Susan Gourvenec said "Divya's work focused on the need to develop efficient and reliable anchoring systems for tethered floating structures, which are one solution for accessing Australia's remote gas fields. I've collaborated with Fugro AG to deploy Divya's research in practice, sizing up foundation systems planned for offshore Australia".

Steve Neubecker, General Manager GeoConsulting at Fugro AG in Perth, said that their close interaction with UWA helps to transfer technology rapidly into engineering practice. "The research recognised by these awards has already been applied to projects in Australia and elsewhere, thanks to close collaboration between COFS and Fugro AG. As Australian projects move into deeper water with new types of floating structures and challenging pipeline conditions, novel geotechnical solutions are needed. Our partnership with the university allows us to develop these solutions drawing on the university's academic strengths and our industry experience - leading to award-winning research and practical engineering solutions that are applicable both offshore Australia and worldwide."

Fugro AG supports COFS' research as a Partner Investigator in the Australian Research Council Centre for Excellence in Geotechnical Science and Engineering, of which COFS is the Western Australian node.

Media references

David White , Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems, +61 8 6488 3086

Susan Gourvenec , Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems, +61 8 6488 3995