Inclined loading capacity of suction piles in sand

A series of centrifuge model tests have been conducted on a model suction pile embedded in sand to evaluate its inclined pull-out loading capacity. This paper describes the centrifuge model tests, the analytical solution, and comparisons between the centrifuge model test results and the analytical predictions of the pull-out capacities of the suction pile under inclined loads. The main variables of the study are the load inclination angle and the point of mooring line attachment which varies from the top to the bottom of the suction pile's side surface. Effects of these two parameters on the suction pile inclined pull-out loading capacity are described. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.