Numerical Study on the Responses of Suction Pile Foundations under Horizontal Cyclic Loading Considering the Soil Stiffness Degradation

Abstract

This paper analyzes the deformation responses of single-cylinder and four-cylinder suction pile foundations in soft clay under horizontal cyclic loading. Based on the existing stiffness degradation model of soft clay, a more suitable model for marine soft clay is proposed by carrying out dynamic triaxial experiments under different stress levels. The stiffness degradation and cumulative displacement of soil under cyclic loading are implemented in ABAQUS by compiling a USDFLD subroutine. The rationality is verified by comparison with the displacement response of the pile measured by the centrifugal model test and the scaled model test reported in the literature. With the aid of the current model, the stress state and deformation of suction pile foundations under horizontal cyclic load are further analyzed. The numerical results reveal the path of soil stiffness degradation and the deformation response of foundations during horizontal cycling. The cumulative displacement generated by the cyclic load is quantitatively displayed. It is proved that this model has the capability to reflect the cumulative displacement under cyclic loading and shows promise in analyzing the long-term deformation response of offshore foundations.

Data-Driven Prediction of Maximum Settlement in Pipe Piles under Seismic Loads

“…In the extreme marine environment, a foundation not only faces the operational load transmitted by the structure but also the cyclic loading induced by waves and wind. Assessing the stability and deformation of the foundation under such cyclic loading is crucial, and employing the appropriate methods for this evaluation holds significant importance [3]. When subjected to seismic forces, the ground undergoes dynamic movements, which can result in the settlement of the piles [4].…”

“…In the construction field, historical methods for determining pile settlement, such as static and dynamic load tests, have been proven to be reliable but are criticized for being time-consuming and uneconomical [3,10]. To address this issue, some researchers propose semi-empirical formulas using in situ test results [15,16,33], while others employ finite element simulations with software tools like MIDAS GTS (version 2019) [10].…”