scholarly journals Model Test Study on Bearing Capacity and Deformation Characteristics of Symmetric Pile–Bucket Foundation Subjected to Cyclic Horizontal Load

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1647
Author(s):  
Zunan Fu ◽  
Guoshuai Wang ◽  
Yanming Yu ◽  
Li Shi

The pile–bucket foundation that features a bucket slipped onto a monopile is a new type of symmetric offshore foundation supporting the wind turbine. Its load bearing and deformation resistance capacity are unclear, especially when subjected to cyclic horizontal loadings. In this paper, a model test has been designed and carried out for investigating the cyclic behavior of the pile–bucket foundation embedded in soft marine clay. Cyclic horizontal loads are applied in a displacement-controlled manner with different amplitudes and frequencies. The influences of cyclic loading parameters, including the amplitude, the frequency and the cycle number, have been studied from the perspectives of stiffness-degradation and damping effect that are evaluated from the recorded horizontal force–displacement relationships at the loading point. In addition, the influences of cyclic horizontal loading on the bending moment distribution and on the p–y curve have been presented and discussed. The results show that significant reductions in the foundation stiffness and in the soil resistance may be observed during the first few cycles when the loading displacement is relatively high.

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