Parametric Studies on Skirted Foundation Resting on Sandy Soil

Abstract

Skirted foundations are steels or concrete-plated foundations with a skirt underneath the periphery. Skirted foundations are mainly used in offshore structures. This foundation reduces the material cost and installation time. As compared to shallow foundations, skirted foundations transfer the load into the deeper level, thus improving the bearing capacity of the foundation and as well as reducing the settlement. The bearing capacity of the skirted foundation is the combination of the end bearing (at skirt tip) and skin friction between the skirt and the soil. This paper investigated the behaviour of axially loaded square skirted foundation resting on the sand with the help of finite element software, ABAQUS 3D. Parametric studies on skirted foundations were performed numerically. The effect of skirt length, skirt angles, and the additional internal skirt on the bearing capacity and settlement of the foundation was assessed. The skirt length to width of foundation (L/B) of 0.0 (surface), 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 are taken for the analysis. And one number of internal skirted is provided for each skirted foundation. The skirts inclination of 0, 15, 20, and 25 degrees has been considered in the analysis. Results revealed that as the skirt length increases, the foundation bearing capacity increases and settlement reduces; this increase is due to the load being transferred to a deeper level and increasing volume of the soil between the skirts. Also, the introduction of internal skirted results in increases in bearing capacity and reduction in a settlement. It has been also observed that as the skirt inclination increases, bearing capacity increases and foundation settlement is reduced. This increase is due to the increasing skirt area that is in contact with the soil and increasing foundation area projection.