Effect of Embedment on the Vertical Bearing Capacity of Bucket Foundations in Clay

To evaluate the undrained behaviour of bucket foundations installed on Yoldia clay, 100 tests on bucket foundations subject to vertical and moment loadings were conducted at Aalborg university geotechnical centre. Bucket foundations are tubular steel foundations that are installed by sealing the top and applying suction inside the bucket. The hydrostatic pressure difference and the deadweight cause the bucket to penetrate the soil. In the present study, results of an experimental study addressing the effect of embedment (skirt length to the diameter) on the undrained bearing capacity of bucket foundations under vertical loading are reported. The field tests have been accompanied by the finite element numerical simulations in order to provide better understanding of influential parameters on the behavior of bucket foundations. RÉSUMÉ Pour évaluer le comportement non drainé des fondations seau installé sur terre battue Yoldia, 100 tests sur des bases seau sujet à des charges verticales et le moment ont été menées au centre de l'Université d'Aalborg géotechnique. Seau fondations sont des fondations en acier tubulaire qui sont installés par sceller le dessus et d'appliquer le vide à l'intérieur du seau. La différence de pression hydrostatique et le port en lourd cause le seau à pénétrer dans le sol. Dans la présente étude, les résultats d'une étude expérimentale portant sur l'effet d'encastrement (longueur de la jupe au diamètre) sur la capacité portante des fondations non drainées seau sous chargement vertical sont signalés. Les essais au champ ont été accompagnés par les simulations numériques par éléments finis afin d'assurer une meilleure compréhension des paramètres influents sur le comportement des fondations seau.

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