Lateral Bearing Capacity of Modified Suction Caissons Determined by Using the Limit Equilibrium Method

The modified suction caisson(MSC) adds a short-skirted structure around the regular suction caissons to increase the lateral bearing capacity and limit the deflection. The MSC is suitable for acting as the offshore wind turbine foundation subjected to larger lateral loads compared with the imposed vertical loads. Determination of the lateral bearing capacity is a key issue for the MSC design. The formula estimating the lateral bearing capacity of the MSC was proposed in terms of the limit equilibrium method and was verified by the test results. Parametric studies on the lateral bearing capacity were also carried out. It was found that the lateral bearing capacity of the MSC increases with the increasing length and radius of the external skirt, and the lateral bearing capacity increases linearly with the increasing coefficient of subgrade reaction. The maximum lateral bearing capacity of the MSC is attained when the ratio of the radii of the internal compartment to the external skirt equals 0.82 and the ratio of the lengths of the external skirt to the internal compartment equals 0.48, provided that the steel usage of the MSC is kept constant.

Lateral Bearing Capacity of Multi-Bucket Foundation in Soft Ground

The bucket foundation is a new type of foundation for offshore application to intermediate-depth waters. It has advantages over conventional ones. However, there is no consensus in the analysis and design of this type of foundation. In this paper, the lateral bearing capacity and the failure mechanism of multi-bucket foundations are studied with different connection stiffness and bucket spacing by use of a three-dimensional finite element method. Based on the numerical analysis results, a limit analysis method of plasticity for evaluating the lateral bearing capacity of large-spacing multi- bucket foundation with rigid connection in soft ground is proposed. This method provides a simple procedure that gives results comparable to those from the finite element analyses.

Ultimate Lateral Capacity of Rigid Pile in c–φ Soil

To date no analytical solution of the pile ultimate lateral capacity for the general c–φ soil has been obtained. In the present study, a new dimensionless embedded ratio was proposed and the analytical solutions of ultimate lateral capacity and rotation center of rigid pile in c–φ soils were obtained. The results showed that both the dimensionless ultimate lateral capacity and dimensionless rotation center were the univariate functions of the embedded ratio. Also,the ultimate lateral capacity in the c–φ soil was the combination of the ultimate lateral capacity（f;） in the clay, and the ultimate lateral capacity（f;） in the sand. Therefore, the Broms chart for clay, solution for clay（φ=0） put forward by Poulos and Davis, solution for sand（c=0） obtained by Petrasovits and Awad, and Kondner’s ultimate bending moment were all proven to be the special cases of the general solution in the present study. A comparison of the field and laboratory tests in 93 cases showed that the average ratios of the theoretical values to the experimental value ranged from 0.85 to 1.15. Also, the theoretical values displayed a good agreement with the test values.

Lateral load-carrying capacity analyses of composite shear walls with double steel plates and filled concrete with binding bars

A method is developed to predict the lateral load-carrying capacity of composite shear walls with double steel plates and filled concrete with binding bars(SCBs). Nonlinear finite element models of SCBs were established by using the finite element tool, Abaqus. Tie constraints were used to connect the binding bars and the steel plates. Surface-to-surface contact provided by the Abaqus was used to simulate the interaction between the steel plate and the core concrete. The established models could predict the lateral load-carrying capacity of SCBs with a reasonable degree of accuracy. A calculation method was developed by superposition principle to predict the lateral load-carrying capacity of SCBs for the engineering application. The concrete confined by steel plates and binding bars is under multi-axial compression; therefore, its shear strength was calculated by using the Guo-Wang concrete failure criterion. The shear strength of the steel plates of SCBs was calculated by using the von Mises yielding criterion without considering buckling. Results of the developed method are in good agreement with the testing and finite element results.

Influence of Vertical Load on Lateral-Loaded Monopiles by Numerical Simulation

Monopiles are the most common foundation form of offshore wind turbines,which bear the vertical load,lateral load and bending moment.It remains uncertain whether the applied vertical load increases the lateral deflection of the pile.This paper investigated the influence of vertical load on the behaviour of monopiles installed in the sand under combined load using three-dimensional numerical methods.The commercial software PLAXIS was used for simulations in this paper.Monopiles were modelled as a structure incorporating linear elastic material behaviour and soil was modelled using the Hardening-Soil(HS)constitutive model.The monopiles under vertical load,lateral load and combined vertical and lateral loads were respectively studied taking into account the sequence of load application and pile slenderness ratio(L/D;L and D are the length and diameter of the pile).Results suggest that the sequence of load application plays a major role in how vertical load affects the deflection behaviour of the pile.Specifically,when L/D ratios obtained by lengthening the pile while keeping its diameter constant are 3,5 and 8,the relationships between lateral load and the deflection behaviour of the pile under the effect of vertical load demonstrate a similar trend.Furthermore,the cause of increased lateral capacity of the pile under the action of applied vertical load in the common practical application case and in the VPL case was analyzed by studying the variation law of soil stress along the pile embedment.Results confirm that the confining effect of vertical load increases means effective stress of the soil around the pile,thus increasing soil stiffness and pile capacity.

Investigating the Efficiency Coefficient of Pile Group in Clay Under Two-Way Lateral Load

This research investigates the behavior of a 2×2 pile group under two-directional lateral loads in addition to the vertical load.Through three-dimensional numerical modeling based on Flac 3D software,the study examines the total bearing capacity and efficiency coefficient of the pile group,considering factors such as the angle of lateral load,relative pile spacing,and relative stiffness of the pile-soil system.The findings highlight the significance of these factors in understanding and predicting the response of pile groups to changing lateral load directions.The results reveal that increasing the angle of the lateral load from 0°to 45°enhances both the maximum total lateral load and the efficiency coefficient of the pile group.When the relative stiffness of the pile-soil system significantly increases,soil stiffening occurs and reducing the relative spacing of the piles from 7 to 3 times the diameter of the piles diminishes the influence of the pile group.Consequently,the response of the pile group to lateral loads becomes more linear,with only a slight alteration in the maximum total lateral load and the efficiency coefficient when the lateral load is angled from 0°to 45°.Conversely,increasing the relative distance between the piles,specifically from 3 to 7 times the diameter of the piles,amplifies the influence of the pile group.Both the maximum total lateral load and the efficiency coefficient of the pile group exhibit an observed increase.These provide insights for designing pile groups and optimizing their performance under lateral loading conditions.

The Effect of Jet Grouting on Enhancing the Lateral Behavior of Piled Raft Foundation in Soft Clay(Numerical Investigation)

Soft clay soils cannot usually support large lateral loads,so clay soils must be improved to increase lateral resistance.The jet grouting method is one of the methods used to improve weak soils.In this paper,a series of 3D finite element studies were conducted using Plaxis 3D software to investigate the lateral behavior of piled rafts in improved soft clay utilizing the jet grouting method.Parametric models were analyzed to explore the influence of the width,depth,and location of the grouted clay on the lateral resistance.Additionally,the effect of vertical loads on the lateral behavior of piled rafts in grouted clay was also investigated.The numerical results indicate that the lateral resistance increases by increasing the dimensions of the jet grouting beneath and around the piled raft.Typical increases in lateral resistance are 11.2%,65%,177%,and 35%for applying jet grouting beside the raft,below the raft,below and around the raft,and grouted strips parallel to lateral loads,respectively.It was also found that increasing the depth of grouted clay enhances lateral resistance up to a certain depth,about 6 to 10 times the pile diameter(6 to 10D).In contrast,the improvement ratio is limited beyond 10D.Furthermore,the results demonstrate that the presence of vertical loads has a significant impact on sideward resistance.

Response of Skirted Suction Caissons to Monotonic Lateral Loading in Saturated Medium Sand

Monotonic lateral load model tests were carried out on steel skirted suction caissons embedded in the saturated medium sand to study the bearing capacity. A three-dimensional continuum finite element model was developed with Z_SOIL software. The numerical model was calibrated against experimental results. Soil deformation and earth pressures on skirted caissons were investigated by using the finite element model to extend the model tests. It shows that the ＂skirted＂ structure can significantly increase the lateral capacity and limit the deflection, especially suitable for offshore wind turbines, compared with regular suction caissons without the ＂skirted＂ at the same load level. In addition, appropriate determination of rotation centers plays a crucial role in calculating the lateral capacity by using the analytical method. It was also found that the rotation center is related to dimensions of skirted suction caissons and loading process, i.e. the rotation center moves upwards with the increase of the ＂skirted＂ width and length; moreover, the rotation center moves downwards with the increase of loading and keeps constant when all the sand along the caisson＇s wall yields. It is so complex that we cannot simply determine its position like the regular suction caisson commonly with a specified position to the length ratio of the caisson.

Field testing of stiffened deep cement mixing piles under lateral cyclic loading

Construction of seaside and underground wall bracing often uses stiffened deep cement mixed columns （SDCM）. This research investigates methods used to improve the level of bearing capacity of these SDCM when subjected to cyclic lateral loading via various types of stiffer cores. Eight piles, two deep cement mixed piles and six stiffened deep cement mixing piles with three different types of cores, H shape cross section prestressed concrete, steel pipe, and H-beam steel, were embedded though soft clay into medium-hard clay on site in Thailand. Cyclic horizontal loading was gradually applied until pile failure and the hysteresis loops of lateral load vs. lateral deformation were recorded. The lateral carrying capacities of the SDCM piles with an H-beam steel core increased by 3-4 times that of the DCM piles. This field research clearly shows that using H-beam steel as a stiffer core for SDCM piles is the best method to improve its lateral carrying capacity, ductility and energy dissipation capacity.

H-M Bearing Capacity of A Modified Suction Caisson Determined by Using Load-/Displacement-Controlled Methods

This paper presents a series of monotonically combined lateral loading tests to investigate the bearing capacity of the MSCs （modified suction caissons） in the saturated marine fine sand. The lateral loads were applied under load- and displacement-controlled methods at the loading eccentricity ratios of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5. Results show that, in the displacement-controlled test, the deflection-softening behavior of load-deflection curves for MSCs was observed, and the softening degree of the load-deflection response increased with the increasing external skirt length or the decreasing loading eccentricity. It was also found that the rotation center of the MSC at failure determined by the load-controlled method is slightly lower than that by the displacement-controlled method. The calculated MSC capacity based on the rotation center position in serviceability limit state is relatively conservative, compared with the calculated capacity based on the rotation center position in the ultimate limit state. In the limit state, the passive earth pressures opposite the loading direction under load- and displacement-controlled methods decrease by 46% and 74% corresponding to peak values, respectively; however, the passive earth pressures in the loading direction at failure only decrease by approximately 3% and 7%, compared with their peak values.

Finite Element Analysis of Laterally Loaded Suction Caisson in Anisotropic Clay

Naturally deposited clay is usually characterized by strength anisotropy; however, the effect of anisotropy on the capacity of a suction caisson was seldom investigated. The conventional Hill yield surface includes undrained strengths in triaxial shear, simple shear and pressuremeter shear simultaneously but it can not specify differences in respect to the mode of loading for a given shearing mode. A new technique of updating strength is integrated into incremental finite element （FE） calculation to consider the mode of loading, which is applied to the study of variation of capacity with the aspect ratio of suction caissons in anisotropic clay. Compared with the upper bound limit analysis, FE simulation is capable of offering the lateral capacity of short caissons. In the normal range of anisotropic strength properties, the Mises yield surface with simple shear strength predicts the horizontal capacity of which the error is less than 10% for rough caissons and 15% for smooth caissons. It is also found that the friction of caisson affects the capacity significantly.

Membrane action in lateral restraint reinforced concrete slabs

Based on the assumption of additional three-hinge arching action,an analytical method was proposed to predict the additional load of lateral restraint reinforced concrete (RC) slab under compressive membrane action (CMA),and its ultimate load could be obtained by adding pure bending load. The experiment of twelve one-way RC slabs supported by shear-walls was carried out,and the calculations of this proposed method provide good predictions for the experimental evidences. The influence of some design parameters on bearing capacity was also investigated. It is shown that the effect of vertical load on ending shear-wall on the ultimate load capacity can be generally neglected when the bending restraint is satisfied. The additional load capacity also decreases with the increase of the span-to-height ratio of central slab. When reducing the reinforcement area,the additional load capacity is increased,and this method can be used to save steel or enhance the ultimate load capacity of low steel ratio slab.

嵌岩桩水平承载力地基反力Matlock法分析

嵌岩桩在海上风电、跨海大桥等结构中的应用十分广泛,但在嵌岩桩水平承载特性方面的研究仍有较多不足。弹性地基反力法中的Matlock法在中国是用于计算水平承载桩承载力时应用最多的方法,但地基反力Matlock法针对嵌岩桩缺少合理的取值方法。基于现场试验数据建立并验证有限差分数值模型,通过数值模拟与参数分析,研究了岩体力学参数和桩基参数等因素对桩岩相互作用的影响,提出了Matlock法中地基反力系数比例系数的拟合计算公式。通过现场试验数据对提出的方法进行了验证,结果表明计算结果与实际情况较为相符,与其他方法比较,所提出的修正Matlock法相对非线性的p-y曲线法具有取值计算较为简便的优势。

考虑系泊点深度的单点系泊系统锚桩水平承载性能理论分析

单点系泊系统因其克服恶劣海况的优越性成为我国海洋石油开发的重要系泊形式。然而,水下单点系泊系统锚桩-土体相互作用机制尚不清楚,尤其缺少考虑系泊点深度的水平承载性能计算方法。基于复合地基反力法,建立水平荷载下单点系泊系统锚桩的挠曲控制方程和边界条件,并编制相关计算程序;通过迭代法求解,获得不同系泊点位置下的锚桩荷载-位移曲线以及桩身位移、弯矩沿桩身的分布规律曲线;通过与数值模拟和既有离心模型试验结果的对比分析,验证了其准确性和可靠性;继而考虑系泊点深度对锚桩水平承载力的影响,进行参数分析,给出了最优系泊点深度取值范围。分析结果表明,增加系泊点深度可以显著减小锚桩的水平位移及弯矩最大值,从而提高锚桩的水平极限承载力。

深水钻井井口吸力桩稳定性计算和校核方法

深水松软土质下,传统喷射法安装的表层导管在钻井阶段存在下沉和倾斜的风险。为了提升深水钻井水下井口的稳定性,提出了井口吸力桩表层建井的方法,开展了吸力桩下入深度和稳定性分析。基于桩基承载理论和广义Winkler地基梁模型,建立了井口吸力桩稳定性理论模型,并通过有限元方法和有限差分法研究了井口吸力桩稳定性特征及影响因素。以南中国海某井工程参数为依据,对井口吸力桩稳定性开展理论计算,与有限元计算结果进行对比,竖向极限承载力误差为4.23%,最大水平位移误差为6.0%,最大弯矩误差为2.96%,印证了计算结果的准确性。在钻井工况极限载荷作用下,相比于传统表层导管,井口吸力桩竖向承载力提升了43.91%,水平位移减少了63.21%,抗弯安全系数是前者的24.5倍。分别对井口吸力桩施加不同水平位移和弯矩,结果表明水平载荷对横向稳定性影响较为显著。井口吸力桩具有很高的竖向承载力和横向承载力,显著提高了水下井口的稳定性,研究结果为其在深水松软土质中表层建井提供了理论依据。

砂土中斜桩-承台基础的水平承载特性研究

通过开展室内模型试验,研究了砂土中斜桩-承台系统的水平承载特性,重点分析了桩身倾角及桩身抗弯刚度两个因素对桩顶水平位移、桩身弯矩分布的影响。利用有限元方法开展了与模型试验相对应的三维有限元分析,两者所得结果的对比表明所采用的有限元分析方法能较好地反映斜桩在水平荷载下的受力和变形特性。为了更好地与工程实际相对应,基于上述数值分析方法开展了原型尺寸的数值参数分析,考虑了桩体的弹塑性力学特性,探究土体弹性模量、桩身刚度以及桩身长度对斜桩-承台系统水平承载能力的影响。计算结果表明,相较于改变桩身的抗弯刚度,土体弹性模量的变化对斜桩-承台系统水平承载能力的影响更为显著;当桩长小于25 m(25倍桩径)时,桩长的增加能较明显降低桩顶水平位移响应,当桩长超过该值时,斜桩水平承载能力的提升效率下降。此外,基于试验数据开展了多元回归分析,获得了斜桩-承台系统桩顶水平位移的半经验预测公式,该公式的预测值与试验实测值及数值参数分析计算值的吻合度均较高,具有良好的适用性,有望能为砂土中斜桩工程的设计和分析提供一定的参考依据。

软岩地基斜锚-短桩复合基础水平承载性能研究

针对山区输电线路岩石地基斜锚-短桩复合基础这一新型基础型式,采用有限元方法构建并验证计算模型,并进一步以短桩的桩径及其嵌岩深度、斜锚长度、斜锚连接节点距地表深度为参数,开展嵌岩短桩及斜锚-短桩复合基础抗水平承载性能对比研究。基于斜锚-短桩复合基础水平荷载-位移曲线初始弹性段、弹塑性过渡段和直线破坏段的三阶段变化特征,确定了各基础相应阶段的水平承载力。研究岩体及桩身截面混凝土应力分布特征、斜锚与短桩连接节点位置对斜锚-短桩复合基础抗水平承载性能的影响规律,结果表明:斜锚与岩体间的黏结锚固作用可将基顶水平力转化为斜锚拉力,使水平荷载传递至斜锚周围及短桩桩端以下的岩体,进而有效提高斜锚-短桩复合基础水平承载性能。通过优化斜锚连接节点距地表深度,可减小桩径及其嵌岩深度同时满足相应基础抗水平承载力设计要求,从而有效降低基础施工难度,提高基础安全性。

节段预制拼装混凝土盖梁胶接缝抗剪性能试验

针对采用键齿胶接缝构造的节段预制拼装混凝土盖梁拼接缝抗剪性能研究较为缺乏的现状,设计制作了3组共7个足尺胶接缝键齿试件,考虑键齿倾角、键齿深度和侧向压应力3种影响因素,进行直剪试验研究。试验结果表明:键齿胶接缝在直剪荷载作用下的破坏模式均为脆性破坏,主裂缝形态受侧向压应力、键齿深度及键齿倾角的耦合影响;增大侧向压应力或键齿深度均能有效提高键齿胶接缝的抗剪承载力,且破坏相对滑移保持为同量级;键齿倾角为30°时,键齿胶接缝的开裂荷载和抗剪承载力最大;当键齿倾角>45°,抗剪承载力有明显下降,故实际工程中键齿倾角不应超过45°。

岩质斜坡嵌岩桩水平承载性能影响因素敏感性研究

选取岩石单轴抗压强度Rc、嵌岩深度hr、斜坡坡度θ和桩径Dp共4个影响参数,每因素设置5个影响水平,采用Taguchi正交试验方法,设计25个岩质斜坡嵌岩桩水平承载性能基础模型,并开展水平承载性能有限元数值模拟,得到各基础水平荷载—位移曲线,据此以桩侧地表位移10mm为控制条件,确定各基础水平极限承载力。采用信噪比和方差分析方法,研究Rc、hr、Dp和θ对基础极限水平承载力的影响趋势,并检验各因素影响的显著性水平。结果表明:各影响因素对岩质斜坡嵌岩桩水平承载力敏感性由大到小顺序为Dp、θ、Rc、hr,其中Dp和θ均为显著性影响因素,且Dp影响最为显著。Rc和hr均不是显著性影响因素。岩质斜坡嵌岩桩水平极限承载力随Dp增加而增大,随θ增大而减小。当桩周岩体单轴抗压强度与桩身混凝土强度相接近时,二者相互作用效果最佳,可有效提高岩质斜坡嵌岩桩水平承载性能。增加hr对提高岩质斜坡嵌岩桩水平承载力作用有限。