Study on the penetration resistance of suction bucket foundation in sand

Abstract

In the design of the suction pile, the evaluation of the resisting force of the ground against the pile penetration is crucial. In this study, the laboratory model tests that are simulating the installation process of suction bucket foundation on the sand are performed. The penetration resistance of suction bucket foundation was investigated through a series of model tests. When suction is applied in suction bucket foundation, seepage developed from outside into inside ofbucket results in decreasing the effective stress of sand and friction angle between sand and foundation. To consider the reduction of the shear strength of soil inside the bucket due to the applied suction, the mobilized effective soil friction angle ratio can be applied. From the laboratory model tests, mobilized soil strength factor on sand was ranged from 0.1 to 0.96. The penetration resistance when the bucket pile is penetrated on sand by suction is 3.5~16.8 % of penetration resistance when the bucket pile is penetrated by push-in-load method.ion on the sand are performed. The penetration resistance of suction bucket foundation was investigated through a series of model tests. When suction is applied in suction bucket foundation, seepage developed from outside into inside ofbucket results in decreasing the effective stress of sand and friction angle between sand and foundation. To consider the reduction of the shear strength of soil inside the bucket due to the applied suction, the mobilized effective soil friction angle ratio can be applied. From the laboratory model tests, mobilized soil strength factor on sand was ranged from 0.1 to 0.96. The penetration resistance when the bucket pile is penetrated on sand by suction is 3.5~16.8 % of penetration resistance when the bucket pile is penetrated by push-in-load method.