Feasibility of Suction Caisson Solutions for the Foundations of Offshore Jacket Platforms in the Persian Gulf

Abstract

This paper gives the results of an investigation into the performance of the suction caisson foundations for jacket platforms in the Persian Gulf under quasi static environmental wave loading. A numerical approach has been chosen to study the subject. The installation phase has not been analysed, so the suction caisson foundations have been considered in an in situ condition. At first, three dimensional finite element models of the suction caissons, embedded in the sea bed but in isolation of the jacket, have been examined under static vertical, horizontal and inclined loadings. The results have been verified against available test data from other researchers and, in general, reasonable agreements have been obtained between the numerical and the experimental results. The models of some of the existing jacket structure in the Persian Gulf have then been incorporated with the verified caisson models. The resulting integrated model of the jacket/caissons/soil body has been examined under push-over environmental loads. The results have then been assessed against those obtained from the corresponding jackets with driven pile foundations. From the current study, the suction caisson foundations have been found to be able to contest the deep pile foundation solution due to savings in the material utilization costs and their load carrying capacity.