A method for calculating lateral response of offshore rigid monopile in sand under slope effect

Abstract

This paper develops a method for calculating nonlinear lateral response of offshore rigid monopile in sand under slope effect. The method modifies three-dimensional wedge failure model to evaluate the ultimate soil resistance in front of the laterally loaded rigid monopile near sloped ground. The modified model considers the ultimate horizontal frictional resistance, the slope effect, the vertical friction force, the mutual influence of the forces within the wedge. And the base horizontal shear resistance is considered in the method. In addition, the load-displacement curves of the rigid monopile under five different distribution modes of the soil reaction along the pile are calculated by the force and moment equilibrium equations. The method in this paper is verified by comparing its results with those of field test, 3D FE model, 1g laboratory model test and existing analytical methods. Finally, this method is used to study the rotation behavior and lateral response of the offshore rigid monopile.