Biaxial loading of offshore monopiles: numerical modeling

Journal article

In this study, finite-element (FE) modeling was used to examine the influence of biaxial lateral loading of a monopile foundation. Two different soil models were adopted to investigate the influence of state-dependent and anisotropic behavior of soil on monopile response. A series of analyses was carried out in which both cyclic and static lateral loads were applied to the pile. Results show that biaxial loading significantly influenced the pile-head load-displacement response in addition to the development of significant accumulated displacements and coexistent soil loosening and densification. Moreover, predictions determined using a state-independent soil model were shown to be significantly nonconservative; these findings have important implications for environmental loading of offshore monopiles.

Authors: Sheil, B; McCabe, B

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
• Journal: International Journal of Geomechanics
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 2
• Article number: 04016050
• Publication date: 2016-05-18
• Acceptance date: 2016-04-04
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000709
• EISSN: 1943-5622
• ISSN: 1532-3641
• Keywords: biaxial; offshore; lateral; monopile; numerical