Model testing of tripod caisson foundations in silty clay subjected to eccentric lateral loads

doi:10.1007/s11709-023-0933-6

Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (3) : 467-476 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-023-0933-6

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Model testing of tripod caisson foundations in silty clay subjected to eccentric lateral loads

Shili MA¹, Liquan XIE¹(

), Tsung-Chow SU²

¹. College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
². Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA

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Abstract

In this study, model tests were conducted to investigate the bearing capacities of tripod caisson foundations subjected to eccentric lateral loads in silty clay. Lateral load–rotation curves of five eccentric-shaped tripod suction foundations were plotted to analyze the bearing capacities at different loading angles. It was observed that the loading angle significantly influenced the bearing capacity of the foundations, particularly for eccentric tripod caisson foundations. Compared with eccentric tripod caisson foundations, the traditional tripod foundation has a relatively high ultimate lateral capacity at the omnidirectional loading angle. By analyzing the displacement of the caissons, a formula for the rotational center of the tripod caisson foundation subjected to an eccentric lateral load was derived. The depth of the rotation center was 0.68–0.92 times the height of the caisson when the bearing capacity reached the limit. Under the undrained condition, suction was generated under the lid of the “up-lift” caisson, which helps resist lateral forces from the wind and waves.

Keywords tripod caisson foundation silty clay eccentric lateral capacity model tests

Corresponding Author(s): Liquan XIE

Just Accepted Date: 14 February 2023 Online First Date: 23 April 2023 Issue Date: 24 May 2023

Cite this article:

Shili MA,Liquan XIE,Tsung-Chow SU. Model testing of tripod caisson foundations in silty clay subjected to eccentric lateral loads[J]. Front. Struct. Civ. Eng., 2023, 17(3): 467-476.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/10.1007/s11709-023-0933-6
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/Y2023/V17/I3/467

Fig.1 Diagram of traditional and eccentric tripod caisson foundation.

Fig.2 Model test setup for tripod caisson foundation.

Fig.3 Silty clay in tests. (a) Silty clay; (b) scanning electron microscopic image of soil.

Fig.4 Particle-size distribution curve.

Fig.5 Undrained shear strength profiles from the soil sample.

Fig.6 Prototype tripod caisson foundations used in the model tests.

Tab.1 Test scheme of tripod caisson foundation

Fig.7 Schematic of loading direction and location.

Fig.8 Relationship curves between lateral load and rotation of tripod caisson foundations. (a) s_a = 0; (b) s_a = s_p/6; (c) s_a = s_p/3; (d) s_a = 2s_p/3; (e) s_a = s_p.

Fig.9 Tangent intersection method for determining bearing capacity.

Fig.10 Polar diagram of ratio between tripod foundation and single-suction caisson for ultimate lateral capacity.

Fig.11 Relationship curve of ultimate lateral capacity and loading location.

Fig.12 Positions of rotation centers for tripod caisson foundation as β = π∕3.

Fig.13 Suction under lid against rotation of foundation.

Fig.14 Diagram of tripod caisson foundation for β = 0.

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