Modeling of large deformation problem considering spatially variable soils in offshore engineering

Abstract

Offshore engineering is facing the challenges of modeling large deformation problems combined with the complexity of spatial variability of soils. This complex large deformation problem has not been extensively investigated, where one reason is believed due to limited practical approaches available. In this paper, the complex problem has been addressed through the in-house developed approach by implementing a remeshing-based large deformation method into finite element framework, where the spatial variability of the soil domain is realized by correlating the generated random field with the soil property distribution. By carrying large deformation analysis, the penetration of a T-bar penetrometer, the installation of a spudcan foundation and the sliding process of a slope are presented. This study provides an effective approach to investigate the large deformation problems by considering the effect of spatial variability, where the coupling between the complex soil properties and the excessive large displacement has not been intensively investigated.