Limit Analysis of Monopile Foundations, Geotechnical Engineering
Limit Analysis of Monopile Foundations
Work is underway, led by Prof. Chris Martin, on the use of 3D finite element limit analysis to study the lateral capacity of short circular pile (or suction caisson) in undrained clay. The analyses are performed using 3D finite element limit analysis. The clay is idealized as a rigid–plastic material obeying the von Mises yield criterion. The analyses also provide insights into the variation of the unit lateral resistance factor (Np) with depth, as well as revealing details of the 3D soil failure mechanisms.
Velocity field results for a short pile (left figure) show a shallow wedge-type failure with gap formation on the active face of the pile. For the longer pile (right figure) a flow-round failure mechanism is seen to occur below a depth of about two pile diameters.