Predicting the monotonic horizontal behavior of tripod bucket foundations in clay

Abstract

The requirements for the foundation bearing characteristics become higher due to the evolution of offshore wind turbines in the abyssal sea. Tripod bucket foundations have good bearing performance and has gradually become a trend. To investigate the horizontal dynamic behavior of the tripod bucket foundation and the dynamic characteristics relationship between the tripod bucket and the single bucket under horizontal monotonic loadings, the predictive model of the dynamic characteristics of the tripod bucket is established through formula derivation, and extensive numerical analyses were conducted under horizontal monotonic loadings in clay. It was confirmed that the limit bearing moment of the tripod bucket enhances with increment of bucket spacing and length. The ultimate bearing moment has an exponential positive correlation with the ratio of length and diameter (L/D) for the single bucket and a linear positive correlation with the ratio of space and diameter (S/D) for the bucket. Predicting the dynamic characteristics of tripod bucket foundations under horizontal monotonic loadings based on the horizontal bearing capacity coefficient model and the single bucket foundations horizontal dynamic characteristics. Simplified prediction of the tripod bucket foundations' rotation angle and moment has been verified under horizontal monotonic loadings. That can provide a certain design reference of the multi-bucket foundation by studying the relationship between single and jacket foundation.