Model Tests for Evaluating the Bearing Pressure of Harbor Structures Using Open Cell Caisson Method

Abstract

This study is related to the ground bearing pressure of a caisson-type harbor structure. In particular, it was examined the ground bearing pressure of the harbor structure to which the open cell caisson method was developed to increase stability by interlocking caissons. An experimental study was conducted to confirm the performance for the ground bearing pressure with a construction method that significantly improved the sliding stability of the structure by filling crushed stones between two adjacent open cells. A small scale caisson model and four load cells were used to evaluate the change of the ground bearing pressure due to the action of a horizontal load. The validity of experiment results was confirmed through comparison with numerical results using ABAQUS. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that the open cell caisson method showed superior characteristics for the ground bearing pressure compared to the conventional caisson method. As the degree of compaction of crushed stones increased, the ground bearing pressure was further reduced, and an increase in the coefficient of friction on the side wall had a great influence on a decrease. The end bearing pressure was reduced by 46% even in the condition that crushed stones were not compacted and the side wall was not uneven (frictional coefficient 0.47), and in the condition with unevenness (frictional coefficient 0.787), it decreased by 70%. When the condition for compacting fully crushed stones was added, the result was reduced up to 77%.