A simplified procedure for pull-out capacity of suction buckets under varying average net tensile load
A simplified procedure for pull-out capacity of suction buckets under varying average net tensile load
When used in a tripod configuration, suction buckets for offshore wind respond to metocean loading with differential vertical loads among the three foundations. Therefore, one or two buckets might experience tensile load for extended periods, even during operational loading.
A conservative design approach under net tensile load uses the drained, frictional capacity of the bucket skirts, with skirt length extended until sufficient capacity is achieved and no contribution from passive suction beneath the lid. When the soil stratigraphy at the site, installation requirements, or transportation impose a limitation on the length of the skirt, costly remediations are required.
This paper proposes a less conservative method for calculating the capacity of suction bucket experiencing prolonged tension. It relies on the concept of passive suction as a way of increasing tensile capacity. Simple equations are presented to calculate the time-dependent upward displacement of the bucket. The method is validated with axisymmetric, coupled pore water flow-effective stress (also called consolidation) finite element analyses.
R. Ragni; Hans Petter Jostad; Zefeng Zhou; Brendan OBoyle
5th International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics (ISFOG2025)
11 - Suction installed foundations and anchors
https://doi.org/10.53243/ISFOG2025-326
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