Experimental and Analytical Models of Laterally Loaded Rigid Monopiles with Hardening Curves
Publication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 141, Issue 6
Abstract
Short rigid large-diameter monopiles have been widely used for offshore wind turbines. The rotation of the piles is strictly controlled to render safe operation of the wind turbines. Consequently, the determination of the bearing capacity within an allowable angular rotation of the monopiles is an important issue. In this study, six lateral loading tests (at 1 g) were conducted on a rigid model pile in low liquid limit silt (ML) soil (with two relative densities). The tests reveal a rotational center at a depth of ( embedded length of the pile) and work-hardening load–displacement curves (a continual increase in soil pressures even at a very large rotational angle). The test results were used to establish new curves using a coefficient of subgrade reaction that is correlated to the local pile displacement. In particular, an analytical expression is developed to estimate the net lateral soil resistance on a circular pile using peak-on-pile radial stress. The new curves and analytical solutions capture the measured curves and the load–displacement relationship of the monopiles in cohesionless soils.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51179169 and 51225804), the State Key Program of the National Natural Science of China (U1234204), and research funds from Zhejiang Electric Power Design Institute (KXK2014-012). Dr. Helen Y. P. Cheng, Miss Z. Z. Wang, Mr. Lap Fu Ip from University College London, and Mr. J. G. Tong from Zhejiang Electric Power Design Institute are acknowledged for their discussion and interest.
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Published In
Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 141 • Issue 6 • November 2015
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 22, 2014
Accepted: Mar 5, 2015
Published online: Jun 10, 2015
Published in print: Nov 1, 2015
Discussion open until: Nov 10, 2015
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