Soil data in Orcaflex

Prepared by Y.T Kim

Offshore Engineering Lab. Seminar No. 6
1/9
1. API RP 2A-WSD
1. Winklers hypothesis
Most of the theoretical solutions for laterally loaded piles involve the concept of modulus of subgrade
reaction
Modulus of subgrade reaction (the pressure distribution which is the result or reaction of the
subgrade to a load imposed upon the top of a foundation structure)
unit kN/m
2
/m
Because of the limitation of available data and the uncertainty of soil condition, it was also
proposed to use the empirical equations. The following empirical equations (Widjaja, 2008) were
suggested to estimate k value both in clay and sand:
Clay : k = 40 50 su (t/m3)
Sand : k = 70 100 NSPT (t/m3)
Winklers hypothesis-The reaction at any point on the base of the beam in Fig.1 depends only on the
deflection at that point.
The same principle applies to batter piles.
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1. API RP 2A-WSD
1.1 Winklers hypothesis
A series of nonlinear - the force deformation characteristics of the soil.
The springs attached to the blocks of different sizes - reaction increasing with deflection and then
reaching a yield point, or a limiting value that depends on depth.
The taper on the springs a nonlinear variation of load with deflection
The gap btw the pile and the springs the molding away of the soil by repeated loadings
Fig.1
Fig.2
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1. API RP 2A-WSD
1.2 Lateral bearing capacity for soft clay (API RP 2A 6.8.2)
For static lateral loads, the ultimate unit lateral bearing capacity of soft clay p
u
8c~12c
Cyclic loads cause deterioration of lateral bearing capacity
The following is recommended,
'
tan
f
c t o | = +
=critical shear stress
cohesion
friction angle
f
c
t
|
=
=
3 , 0
u R
cX
p c X J X X
D
= + + s s
9
u R
p c X X = >
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1. API RP 2A-WSD
1.3 Load-deflection (p-y) curves for soft clay (API RP 2A 6.8.3)
Lateral soil resistance-deflection relationships in soft clay non-linear
The p-y curves for short-term static load case as following table:
p/p
u
y/y
c
0.00
0.23
0.33
0.50
0.72
1.00
0.0
0.1
0.3
3.0
8.0

P=actual lateral resistance, psi(kPa)
y=actual lateral deflection, in.(m)
y
c
=2.5
c
D, in.(m)

c
=strain which occurs at one-half the maximum stress on laboratory
unconsolidated undrained compression tests of undisturbed soil
samples.
0
5
10
15
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
y
/
y
c

p/p
u

p-y curves
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2. Orcaflex p-y Models
Model type
One of the following options:
The API RP 2A Soft Clay option uses the load-deflection curves for piles in soft clay under short-term static loading as
specified in API RP 2A (2000).
Similarly, the API RP 2A Sand option uses the API RP 2A (2000) load-deflection curves for sand.
The P-y Table option allows you to specify the load-deflection curves directly in tabular form.
6/9
3. Orcaflex Seabed data
2.1 Linear Model
Treat the seabed as a simple linear spring
Seabed resistance is proportional to the penetration
Normal seabed stiffness-the spring reaction force, per unit are of contact, per unit depth of penetration, (e.g., rock-high but
clay-very low)
Shear seabed stiffness-used by the friction calculation. A value of '~' results in the Normal Seabed Stiffness being used.
The Seabed Damping-a percentage of critical damping. Equals 0 when using the implicit integration scheme.

The normal stiffness reaction force has magnitude = K
n
Ad K
n
= seabed normal stiffness
A = penetrator contact area
d = depth of penetration into the seabed.
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3. Orcaflex Seabed data
2.2 Non-linear Model
Prof. Mark Randolph, University of Western Austrailia
It is a development from earlier models that proposed and used a hyperbolic secant stiffness formulation
Fig.4 Soil model characteristics for different modes
More sophisticated than the linear model
Models the non-linear and hysteretic behavior of seabed soil
including modelling of suction effects.
The non-linear modelling only applies to the seabed normal
direction. Linear modelling of lateral directions
Fig.3 Soil model penetration modes
8/9
Remains of the non-linear seabed modelling of Orcaflex
Seabed stiffness & linear vs. nonlinear modelling parametric study using Orcaflex
and SHEAR7
6. Future Plan