Calculation Method of Wave Forces on Large Round-Ended Caisson Foundation

Abstract

This paper presents an analytical formula for estimating the longitudinal wave forces on a large roundended caisson foundation. The establishment of the formula is based on the superposition of the theoretical formula of wave forces on a large circular cylinder and the empirical formula of wave forces on a large rectangular cylinder. With the formula transformed into an inertial force form, a specific inertia coefficient with an exact expression is extracted from the formula. The numerical calculations of the wave forces on round-ended cylinders are carried out by the boundary-element method. The undetermined coefficients in the expression of the inertial coefficient are determined by the numerical results. It is obvious that the numerical values can be well expressed by the computation values from the established formula. By a model experiment carried out in laboratory wave flume, the correctness of the analytical formula is further verified by the measured wave forces on a test model of a round-ended bridge caisson foundation. The comparison shows that the experimental forces can be approximately estimated by this simple calculation method.