Proposed Method for Application of Pressuremeter Test Results to Designing of Offshore Foundations

Abstract

Generalized procedures for soil classification and routine analysis of offshore pile and shallow foundations, directly using self-boring pressuremeter (SBP) test results, are yielded with detailed charts, thus enabling straight application to dimensioning. The proposed geotechnical classification is based on: — the soil identification coefficient β — and the net pressure p*20 Recommended practice for determination of unit skin friction and end bearing capacity of pipe piles account for phenomena such as critical depth effect and possible pile plugging. Procedures for generation of lateral load-deflection curves are based on definite analogy between the pressuremeter test and a laterally-loaded pile. Similarly, the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations may be estimated straightly using SBP test results with empirical coefficients depending on the embedment depth and corrective factors accounting for load eccentricity and inclination and for foundation base shape. For heterogeneous or multilayered soil profiles procedures are given to derive equivalent parameter values.