Soil Parameters for Design of Suction Caissons for Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Clays

摘要

The results of one of the earliest deepwater geotechnical site investigation which specifically addressed the design of suction caissons in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) are presented herein. The extensive monotonic and cyclic laboratory testing program is discussed and key results are summarized in simple design diagrams. These failure interaction diagrams provide soil parameters that can be used in practical design to calculate the holding capacity of suction caissons for floating production systems at Gulf of Mexico deepwater locations.