Dynamic lateral response of suction caissons

• Published in: Soil dynamics and earthquake engineering (1984) Vol. 100; pp. 59 - 71
• Main Authors: Latini, C., Zania, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Barking Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: 3-D technology; Caissons; Damping; Dynamic response; Dynamic stiffness; Finite element analysis; Finite element method; Floating foundations; Mathematical models; Numerical modelling; Offshore; Offshore engineering; Offshore operations; Offshore platforms; Offshore structures; Parameter identification; Pile foundations; Site effects; Soil dynamics; Soil layers; Soil profiles; Soil properties; Soil suction; Soils; Soil–structure–interaction; Stiffness coefficients; Suction caissons; Thickness; Three dimensional models; Turbines; Water installations; Wind power; Wind turbines; Damping; Soil–structure–interaction; Dynamic stiffness; Suction caissons; Site effects; Numerical modelling; Floating foundations
• ISSN: 0267-7261; 1879-341X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soildyn.2017.05.020

Deeper water installations of offshore wind turbines may be supported by jacket structures. This study investigates the dynamic response of suction caissons for jackets by analysing 3D finite element models in the frequency domain. The numerical modelling was firstly validated by analytical solutions for pile foundations. Groups of crucial dimensionless parameters related to the soil profile and the foundation geometry are identified and their effects on the response of suction caissons are studied. Static stiffness coefficients are presented in a form of mathematical formulas obtained by fitting the numerical results, pertaining foundations with different slenderness ratios and embedded in different soil profiles. Sensitivity of the dynamic impedances of suction caissons on the skirt length was showed in this study. Moreover, the results for the suction caissons indicated that the overall dynamic response is profoundly affected by the relative thickness of the soil layer and by the variation of soil stiffness with depth. •New expressions for the static stiffness coefficients of suction caissons.•Definition of the dimensionless parameters of dynamic response of suction caissons.•Effect of the slenderness ratio on coupling impedances.•Importance of the relative thickness of the soil layer on the dynamic impedances.•Governing influence of soil stiffness variation with depth on the dynamic impedances.