Foundation system for tension leg platforms

Abstract

A foundation system for tension leg platforms without use of foundation templates, wherein each tendon ( ) is directly connected to a socket ( ) inside a pile ( ), the piles ( ) being positioned for driving purpose by a pile-driving template ( ) which is employed as a spacing device. The pile-driving template ( ) is positioned with the aid of pins ( ) that slot into guides ( ) built into the well template ( ). After the groups of piles ( ) needed to anchor a corner of the platform ( ) have been driven in, the pile-driving template ( ) is withdrawn and repositioned so as to enable the piles for the other group of legs to be driven; this process continues until all of the pile-driving is finished. Alternatively one single pile-driving template ( ) may be employed to guide the driving of all the piles ( ) thus doing away with the need to reposition the template every time. The bottom ends ( ) of the piles are conical in shape, and after the piles have been driven they are filled up with some high specific gravity material.