Numerical Modelling and Analysis of Factors Influencing Bearing Capacity of Skirt Foundation

Abstract

Skirt foundations have been discovered to be one of the alternatives to stacking offshore structures such as wind turbines, petroleum platforms etc. Offshore wind turbines are primarily exposed to vertical and lateral loads due to wind and present conditions. Many scientists have already carried out multiple vertical loading experiments on a circular footing and have found that this category of foundation increases bearing ability, decreases settlement and changes the behavior of load settlement. In this study, a 3D finite element analysis is carried out to evaluate how the skirt foundations are influenced by the vertical loads. The soil medium and skirt foundation were designed for analyses with varying in their aspect ratios (change in dimensions of depth, d and diameter, D) of skirt foundation and area ratio of skirt foundation. The effect of compactness of soil medium is also calculated by using various types of soil parameters. Furthermore, the current results express how the load carrying capacity of skirt foundation is varied by changing in the aspect ratios and area ratios of the skirt foundation. Also conclusions were drawn that compactness of soil medium plays a vital role in carrying vertical load.