Numerical analysis of suction pile behavior with different loading locations and displacement inclinations

Recently, interest of offshore structure construction in South Korea is growing as the land space becomes limited for further development and the renewable energy grows to be more attractive for the replacement of the fossil energy. In order for the optimal construction of optimum offshore floating structures, development of safe and economical offshore foundation technologies is a priority. In this study, the large-deformation behavior of a suction pile, which markets are rapidly growing nowadays, is analyzed for three different loading locations (top, middle, and bottom of the suction pile) with three different displacement inclinations (displacement controlled with displacement inclinations of 0, 10, and 20 degrees from the horizontal). The behavior analysis includes quantifications of maximum resistances, translations, and rotation angles of the suction pile. The suction pile with its diameter of 10 m and height of 25 m is assumed to be embedded in clay, sand, and multi layers of subsea foundation. The soil properties of the clay, sand, and multi layers were determined based on the results of the site investigations performed in the West sea of South Korea. As analyses results, the maximum resistance was observed at the middle of the suction pile with the displacement inclination of 20 degrees, while the translations and rotations resulting from the horizontal and inclined pullouts were not significant until the horizontal components of movements at the loading points reach 1.0 m.