Centrifuge And Numerical Modelling of Horizontally Loaded Suction Piles

A test programme was carried out in the small geotechnical centrifuge of the University of Delft to investigate the horizontal bearing capacity of suction piles in sand and clay. Thanks to the small size of the samples the soil density could be accurately reproduced, so that slight differences in design could be made visible. The influence of several parameters was tested, such as height/diameter ratio, the attachment point of the cable and loading angle. In some typical cases the failure mechanism was visualized in a three-dimensional test. The test results were compared with the API standard and with three-dimensional finite element calculations. It appeared that the optimum bearing capacity was achieved if the attachment point of the cable is at 2/5 of the pile height. The API calculations yield rather conservative values for the horizontal loads. The finite element calculations appeared to be in good agreement with the measured tendencies of the test results. It is believed that a combination of numerical calculations and tests in a small centrifuge yield a powerful design tool.