FRICTION WWW.TWD.NL

THE INNOVATION

Uncertainty about the magnitude of friction increases the risk of

undesired motions and accidents. In the offshore industry for ex-

ample, friction is used in seafastening designs to secure heavy

cargo. However, offshore design codes only prescribe generic

values and do not consider your exact material combination and

specific transport situation. Too optimistic values result in loss of

your cargo. Too conservative values result in oversized structures.

Unique material combinations, environmental and loading con-

ditions determine the friction coefficient and cannot be based on

general guidelines or figures. Knowledge about the actual friction

coefficient requires testing.

We developed a friction test set-up and are able to simulate your

project specific conditions. With the ready to use test facilities we

can provide quick results and eliminate all uncertainties related

to the friction coefficient. TWD can provide, in combination with

our inhouse measuring service, the smartest, most reliable and

cost-effective solution for your design problem.

FRICTION

ADVANTAGES

INCREASED SAFETY

COST-EFFECTIVE DESIGN

YOUR PROJECT SPECIFIC CONDITIONS APPLIED

QUICK RESULTS

FULLY CERTIFIED TEST

INVOLVEMENT TU DELFT

Monopile cradles equipped with pads to which increases friction between pile and cradle.

LOADING CONDITIONS: 1 – 10 MPA

MATERIAL COMBINATIONS: STEEL, COATED STEEL, POLY URETHANE, WOOD

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: WET, DRY, SALT, ICE

To measure the friction coefficient we designed a novel clamping

mechanism. The set-up is able to fixate the test samples and de-

termine the clamp and pull force, hence the static friction coeffi-

cient. We cooperate with the TU Delft to ensure quality and work

closely with DNV-GL to provide a fully certified test.

The high uncertainty of the friction coefficient is visualized in the

following figures. Poly Urethane materials currently used in sea-

fastening design have been tested under same (fig. 1) and chang-

ing loading conditions (fig. 2).

THE METHOD TEST SPECIFICATIONS

WWW.TWD.NL

GET IN TOUCH

FRICTION

TEMPORARY WORKS DESIGN

T

W

E

+31 10 294 03 74

www.twd.nl

info@twd.nl

Rotterdam Science Tower - Marconistraat 16

3029 AK Rotterdam

The Netherlands

We see possible improvements in the discrepancy between the

design guidelines and actual project situations. Where design

codes prescribe generic values and figures, in reality unique ma-

terials, loading and environmental conditions are present. The

uncertainties introduced can result in undesired situations and

accidents. By simulating and measuring your actual project situ-

ation the use of prescribed values can be minimized. In this way

we at TWD can provide you with the smartest, most reliable and

cost-effective solution.

TWD MEASURING SERVICES

Contact pressure [MPa]

μ[-]

Different material samples are tested on frition test set-up.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Displacement [mm]

Forc

e [N

]

PU#1, μ = 0.6

PU#2, μ = 0.25

PU#3, μ = 0.15