Micromechanical analysis of suction pile-granular soil interaction under inclined pulling load of mooring line: Mooring depth effect

Analyses of the Suction Anchor–Sandy Soil Interactions under Slidable Pulling Action Using DEM-FEM Coupling Method: The Interface Friction Effect

“…The deformation of the suction anchors in the centrifuge tests was small relative to the displacement, satisfying the criteria for employing the one-way transient coupled DEM-FEM simulations [24,25]. Similar to previous investigations [14,19,26], the one-way transient coupling method was employed in simulations. This method encompasses the analysis of boundary data, specifically particle contact forces on the structure's surfaces in the DEM simulation; then, these forces are integrated into the FEM simulation as boundary conditions at each step, without any feedback from the FEM part to the DEM part.…”

“…The model suction anchors, as shown in Figure 2b, were constructed using a smooth steel tube. The model suction anchor had an underwater weight of 40.3 g. Pulling actions during the tests were applied on the pad eye at a depth of h = −45 mm (75% depth), which is approximately the location with the highest anti-pullout capacity [14,18,19]. The tests were carried out at the gravitational acceleration of 100 g (981 m/m 2 ).…”

“…DEM simulations are well suited for sandy soil, while FEM is commonly used for modeling solid structures [22,23]. Following the approach of previous studies [14,18,19], a DEM-FEM coupling method was adopted in this research. Balls in DEM were utilized to simulate the sandy soil, while meshes in FEM were employed to create the suction anchors.…”

“…Subsequently, the forces exerted on vertices were utilized for conducting transient structure analysis within the FEM component. Consistent with prior research [14,19], the buoyant unit weight of the grains (as indicated by the density of grains in Table 1) was employed to take the underwater state of sandy soil into consideration. Like prior investigations [14,19], the DEM-FEM simulations utilized a symmetry-based modeling method to decrease computational expenses [27,28].…”

“…Consistent with prior research [14,19], the buoyant unit weight of the grains (as indicated by the density of grains in Table 1) was employed to take the underwater state of sandy soil into consideration. Like prior investigations [14,19], the DEM-FEM simulations utilized a symmetry-based modeling method to decrease computational expenses [27,28]. A frictionless container was employed to contain 1/2 foundation soil and 1/2 the suction anchor, as depicted in Figure 3a, capitalizing on the axisymmetric characteristics in experimental tests.…”