Research on Building an Integrating Geotechnical and 3D Geological Models of Shallow Marine Sediments for Offshore Wind Farm Development: a Case Study of Binh Thuan, Vietnam

Abstract

The success of offshore wind farm projects depends on many factors, including engineering, technology, and transmission infrastructure. Among these, an accurate understanding of the geological – geotechnical characteristics of the seabed area, especially shallow marine sediments, plays a decisive role in ensuring project success. This environment directly governs the stability and safety of wind turbine foundations. This paper proposes and tests an integrated workflow combining geotechnical and three-dimensional (3D) geological modeling to evaluate shallow marine sediments beneath the seabed, serving foundation design for offshore wind projects in Vietnam. The workflow integrates geophysical survey data (2D UHRS, MBES, SSS) with geotechnical data (CPTU, borehole sampling, soil mechanical tests). The geotechnical model enables detailed simulation of soil – rock mechanical parameters: shear strength, compressibility, permeability, pore pressure, liquefaction potential (FS), ultimate bearing capacity (q_ult), etc. The study area is used for case study located offshore Binh Thuan Province (now is Lam Dong provine) where has the major projects such as La Gan. Geostatistical interpolation methods were applied to model engineering parameters in 3D space. The integrated model allows geotechnical zoning, evaluation of geological hazards such as shallow gas, scour, and punch-through, thereby optimizing turbine siting and reducing foundation design and construction costs. The study contributes to building a scientific foundation for safe and sustainable offshore wind development in Vietnam.