Numerical analysis of lateral bearing behaviors of skirted suction caissons

The skirted suction caisson consisting of a main structure and a skirted structure is a novel foundation. The lateral bearing behaviors of the skirted suction caisson in saturated sand are investigated by using the finite element method. The skirted suction caisson is subjected to lateral monotonic and cyclic loads, and the corresponding load-deformation curves are obtained. The relationships among deformation of foundations and various amplitudes and frequencies are examined. The results show that the lateral bearing capacity of the skirted suction caisson subjected to monotonic horizontal load increases by about 28.6%, and the deflection is effectively reduced to half of that compared to the conventional suction caisson. Under cyclic lateral load, the horizontal displacement of both types of foundations increases with the increase of the amplitude and frequency. However, the lateral displacement of the skirted suction caissons reduces by about 40% compared with that of the traditional suction caisson. Thus, the skirted suction caisson is very suitable to act as foundations of offshore wind turbines to work serviceably.