Graduation Thesis - Geotechnical Engineering Foundations & Turbines

Working from our Gorinchem office, you will investigate a real challenge in offshore foundation engineering: how accurately can we predict pile installation? You will assess recently developed models against data from actual offshore installation records. Your research will help us understand where these models can improve current engineering practice. You will work with Van Oord and TU Delft on a topic with direct practical value. Better predictions can support smarter equipment choices and reduce costly project contingencies. Your work can help make offshore foundation design and installation more predictable.

The position

As a graduation student in Geotechnical Engineering, you will investigate recently developed models for predicting the driveability of offshore piles. Predicting how a pile behaves during installation is important when selecting installation equipment and preparing an offshore project. Current engineering practice often uses 1D wave equation software. Recently developed driveability models aim to represent the underlying pile–soil interaction during installation more realistically, while remaining considerably more practical than full three-dimensional numerical simulations. You will use these advanced models to assess their predictive capability and practical applicability using field data from impact piling operations at an offshore project.

Your impact

The focus of the research is on impact piling in a range of soil conditions in the Baltic, which include glacial tills. You will test how well the recently developed driveability models predict real pile installation behaviour. You will use available project data and CPT information to apply the models to specific soil conditions. You will assess where the models reproduce the field behaviour well, where significant discrepancies occur, and which assumptions or model components may be responsible for these differences. Your findings will help Van Oord understand whether these models can support future engineering decisions. More accurate predictions can help us select suitable installation equipment and reduce the need for costly contingencies.

Your work will include:

• Application of recently developed pile driveability models using available CPT and project data
• Comparison of predicted and measured pile installation behaviour
• Assessment of model accuracy across different soil conditions, with particular attention to glacial soils
• Comparison with established engineering driveability approaches where relevant
• Investigation of the sensitivity of the predictions to key soil and model parameters
• Identification of the main limitations and potential areas for improvement
• Assessment of whether the models are sufficiently robust and practical to support engineering decisions in future offshore projects

You join the Tendering & Engineering department in Gorinchem, where specialists from different disciplines work together on offshore wind projects around the world. It is a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared, innovation is encouraged and engineering ideas become reality.

About you

You are studying Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a related field and are looking for a graduation assignment with a strong connection to offshore engineering. You enjoy understanding why engineering models work and how their results compare with reality. You are comfortable analysing technical information and drawing conclusions from data. You are also interested in connecting academic research with practical engineering decisions.

You bring:

• A relevant university degree programme in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a related field
• Excellent spoken and written English
• Creative, result-driven and strong analytical skills

We offer

We offer you the opportunity to contribute to real engineering challenges that impact our global project. In addition, we offer:

• A graduation internship allowance
• Intensive supervision from experienced engineers
• Communities to join, such as Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women, and the Van Oord staff association
• Various events and sports activities, such as skiing, sailing weekends, cycling, and motorcycling

‘You come up with something at your desk and then see it actually working on a ship. That’s incredibly rewarding.’

Thomasz, Engineer Production Automation