Response of skirted suction caissons to monotonic lateral loading in saturated medium sand

Monotonic lateral load model tests were carried out on steel skirted suction caissons embedded in the saturated medium sand to study the bearing capacity. A three-dimensional continuum finite element model was developed with Z_SOIL software. The numerical model was calibrated against experimental results. Soil deformation and earth pressures on skirted caissons were investigated by using the finite element model to extend the model tests. It shows that the ＂skirted＂ structure can significantly increase the lateral capacity and limit the deflection, especially suitable for offshore wind turbines, compared with regular suction caissons without the ＂skirted＂ at the same load level. In addition, appropriate determination of rotation centers plays a crucial role in calculating the lateral capacity by using the analytical method. It was also found that the rotation center is related to dimensions of skirted suction caissons and loading process, i.e. the rotation center moves upwards with the increase of the ＂skirted＂ width and length; moreover, the rotation center moves downwards with the increase of loading and keeps constant when all the sand along the caisson＇s wall yields. It is so complex that we cannot simply determine its position like the regular suction caisson commonly with a specified position to the length ratio of the caisson.     

圆筒型浮式生产储油平台稳性研究分析

针对圆筒型浮式生产储油平台,对其静稳性曲线做了分析研究,得到了圆筒型FPSO的稳性特点。根据平台实际作业情况,建立了一系列的典型装载工况,分别按照DNV和MARPOL公约稳性衡准的要求,对这些典型工况进行校核,同时得到满足稳性要求的许用重心高度曲线,给平台操作者提供了参考。经过计算,验证了圆筒型FPSO能同时满足DNV和MARPOL公约的稳性要求。最后对影响圆筒型FPSO稳性的主要因素做了分析研究,得到主要影响因素有主船体外形尺寸、装载工况、进水点位置、舱室划分与布置以及风倾力矩等。