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0. Introduction
As offshore exploration and development of oil fields reach water depths in the 1,000 to 3,000 m range, suction caissons become attractive alternatives to driven piles in deepwater because of technical challenges and costs associated with the installation equipment. In addition, suction caissons also provide a greater resistance to lateral loads than driven piles because of the larger diameter typically used .[1]
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Offshore floating structures are tied through mooring lines to anchors in the seafloor . There are several configurations for the mooring system attaching the structure to the anchors. Current mooring concepts include vertical moorings as in Tension Leg Platforms (TLPs), taut mooring systems as in SPAR platforms, and semi-taut and catenary mooring systems in Floating Production Systems (FPS) and Floating Production, Storage and Offloading systems (FPSO) [2]
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Loading Conditions Suction caissons in these offshore applications are subjected to a wide range of loading conditions. Loading are vertical for Tension Leg Platforms, inclined for Tau Mooring Systems, and mostly horizontal in Catenary Systems [3].
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The most common use of suction caisson is a anchors for catenary moorings lines, where the chain angle at the mudline is close to zero. The loading angle at the caisson padeye will fall within the range 10 to 20 degree from the horizontal [3].
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Geotechnical Design
Laterally Bearing Capacity Analysis
Analysis Methods The commonly used method for Analysis and Design of suction piles, especially under lateral loading, is a straightforward application of the established Finite Element Method. Less commonly used methods include the Limit Analysis Methods ( Limit Equilbrium Method and Plastic Limit Analysis), which involve assuming a number of failure mechanism, or a general mechanism with a number of variables. Some Designers also use semi empirical methods : beam Column Analysis procedures otherwise known as the P-Y methods. 4/22/12
P-Y methods
For suction pile with higher L/D ratio(above 1.5), the P-Y method is considered by many designers to be acceptable
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The following simplified approach to assessing the pile ultimate lateral capacity has been used to evaluate the bearing capacity factor Nc
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Limit Equilibrium or plastic limit analysis methods Limit equilibrium method Plastic limit analysis method
failure mechanism is assumed, failure mechanism is assumed usually described in terms of one with added requirement that the or more geometric parameters. mechanism satisfies kinematic The body force distribution, constraints. stress boundary conditions, and the stress or force distribution on failure surface re estimated.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Automated solutions using The approximate nature of the these approaches generally analysis and the difficult of require much less input generalizing results. description and are much easier to use than FEM Programs.
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3.2. Analysis and Design tool to determine the capacity of suction caisson can be classified as one of three general methods [7]
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Finite Element Method Limit Equilibrium or Plastic Limit Analysis Methods ( Models involving soil failure mechanism) Semi empirical methods (highly simplified models of soil resistance including beam column models)
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A suction anchor with no rotation has in principle two translational failure mode components [5]: vertical pullout due to the vertical load component at the padeye Horizontal displacement due to the horizontal load component
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Some important geotechnical considerations in caisson capacity analyses are discussed as follows [8]: Loading Magnitudes and Angles at padeye (Load attachment point
Reduction factors to calculate static axial capacity in drained and undrained loading conditions
Shear transfer factor for frictional capacity Trenching factor Set up factor Reverse end bearing factor Sustained load reduction factor Cyclic loading factor Axial capacity reduction factor in suction zone Post peak reduction on frictional capacity Torque reduction on axial uplift capacity
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Requires soil data from advanced laboratory testing for design and analysis Concern with holding capacity in layered soils Lack of formal design guide lines Limited time on set-up time for uplift Installation in silt layers
Installation in silt : It is difficult to do calculations for silts, because it is difficult to determine whether drained and undrained behavior would be appropriate, and partially drained calculations for caisson penetration have not been formulated [10] .
However, for soil profiles that have sand overlain by layers of silt, there are reasons to believe that it may not be possible to install suction caissons [6].
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This may happen because the low permeability of the silt will create a hydraulic blockage, and thus diminish the upward hydraulic gradient required to reduce the penetration resistance in the sand to enable caisson penetration. The tendency of the silt to be sucked up, and its effect on the underlying sand, are not clearly understood. Furthermore, the blockage by the silt layer may be less than if a clay layer is present [6].
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References:
A finite element analysis of the pullout capacity of suction caisson in clay, christina G. Sgardeli, 2006 MIT 2.A computational procedure for simulation of suction caisson behavior under axial load and inclined loads, Dilip R.Maniar, 2004, Texas 3.Calculation procedures for installation of suction caissons, G.T Houlsby and B.W Byrne,2004 4.Challenges of Offshore geotechnical Engineering, Mark Randolph
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Geotechnical design and Installation of suction Anchors in Clay, DNV-RP-003, 2005 2.Installation of suction Caisson in sand with silt layers, Manh N. Tran; mark F. Randolph, 2007 3.International Standard (amendment) ISO 1990I-7 4.Geotechnical design of suction caisson in clay, Jun Huang, Houston, TX USA,2003 5.Analysis of suction caisson capacity in clay, M.F. randolph. 2002 Hoston, Texas 6.Design procedures for installation of suction caissons in clay and other materials,
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Thank you
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