A Model for Large Diameter Monopiles in Sands Subjected to Lateral Loading under Static and Long-Term Cyclic Conditions
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 2
Abstract
The design of large diameter monopiles subjected to cyclic lateral loading is of interest in many applications, such as, for example, in the offshore wind energy industry. Engineering design methods to estimate the deflection of these structures are required for this purpose. In the present work, a model for large diameter monopiles subjected to lateral loading is proposed. The model considers a pile in cohesionless soil subjected to static and long-term cyclic loading. Its formulation features the consideration of nonlinear relations for the ultimate soil resistance and the initial subgrade modulus among the soil depth and a cyclic factor that accounts for the effect of the soil density and loading amplitude. A relation is also proposed to account for a base shear force at the tip of the monopile. The proposed relations were employed and solved under the beam on nonlinear Winkler foundation (BNWF) approach and were adjusted to simulate a number of three-dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) models accurately, accounting for variations on pile geometry, soil properties, and loading conditions. In the end, the performance of the proposed relations was evaluated through the comparison with a field test and a centrifuge test.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors appreciate the financial support given by COLCIENCIAS (Colombia) for the project with code 1215748-59323 from the convocation 748-2016.
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Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 2 • February 2021
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© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jun 12, 2019
Accepted: Sep 9, 2020
Published online: Nov 28, 2020
Published in print: Feb 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Apr 28, 2021
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