New Mechanism-Based Design Approach for Spudcan Foundations on Single Layer Clay

Spudcan foundations for offshore mobile drilling rigs are large saucer-shaped foundations that can penetrate several tens of meters into soft sediments. The penetration depth is typically predicted by considering a wished-in-place foundation at different depths and following traditional bearing capacity approaches to assess the depth at which the estimated capacity matches the applied loading. However, the geometry of the spudcan and its progressive mode of penetration lead to soil failure mechanisms that differ markedly from those relevant to onshore practice. This paper presents a new rational design approach for assessing spudcan penetration in single layer clays based on a study combining centrifuge model testing and large deformation finite-element (FE) analysis. The design approach takes account of the evolving failure mechanisms in the soil, which start with cavity formation and surface heave at shallow penetration, gradually transforming to backflow of soil over the spudcan. A detailed FE parametric study has explored the relevant range of normalized strength, strength nonhomogeneity, and spudcan base roughness, with results validated against centrifuge model test data. The penetration response curves are presented in terms of profiles of bearing capacity factors, forming nondimensional design charts along with simplified expressions for convenient use in practice. Comparisons with approaches suggested in the SNAME design code suggest an urgent need to update current practice.