Undrained pullout capacity of cylindrical suction caissons by finite element limit analysis

摘要

Finite element limit analysis with axisymmetric condition is employed to determine plasticity solutions of undrained pullout capacity of cylindrical suction caissons in clay with linear increase of strength with depth and zero strength at the seabed. A closed-form approximation of numerical solutions of a suction caisson is proposed from nonlinear regression analysis. The proposed equation is used to check the accuracy and validity of the total pullout force and reverse end bearing force by conventional methods. The three-dimensional effect of suction caissons between axisymmetric and plane strain conditions is also deduced to evaluate the validity of conventionally assumed shape factor. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.