The accumulation procedure on contour diagrams of shear strain is used in geotechnical design to account for the effect of cyclic loading on offshore foundations. In this paper, contour diagrams of maximum shear strain are presented based on a series of stress-controlled, symmetrical and non-symmetrical, cyclic direct simple shear tests on normally consolidated kaolin clay that can be used to re-examine the extensive database of model testing in kaolin clay. It is shown that the failure under non-symmetrical cyclic loading can be defined at a higher maximum shear strain than under symmetrical loading, offering potential opportunities for reducing foundation sizes for structures that are less sensitive to displacement. Staged tests with parcels of uniform amplitudes have been also performed to compare the measured shear strains with the values predicted by the accumulation procedure. It is shown that the accumulation procedure predicts the strain measured in the symmetrical staged tests well but overpredicts shear strains measured in the non-symmetrical staged tests.
KeywordsCyclic loading; normally consolidated clay; direct simple shear test List of notation a fitting parameter for contour diagram of γmax b fitting parameter for contour diagram of γmax c fitting parameter for contour diagram of γmax CSR cyclic stress ratio DSS direct simple shear e0 void ratio (as extruded) f frequency Gcyc cyclic shear modulus Gs specific gravity Published in Géotechnique https://doi.
Skirted foundations are a potential foundation solution for a range of offshore structures, including hydrocarbon and renewable energy platforms and subsea structures. Offshore foundations can be subject to cyclic loading from environmental, installation, and operational events affecting the geotechnical response. A series of centrifuge tests have been performed on a shallow skirted foundation on normally consolidated kaolin clay under a range of vertical cyclic load sequences to investigate the effect of tensile or compressive average stress, the magnitude of the applied stress, and the effect of cyclic loading of low magnitude followed by consolidation on the foundation response. Results are presented as vertical foundation displacements normalized by the foundation geometry and interpreted within the traditional shear-strain contour approach. The findings indicate that the average, rather than maximum, vertical stress defines the foundation vertical displacement response and failure mode, a threshold stress exists below which a steady state is maintained even at a high number of cycles, and geotechnical resistance increases as a result of low-level cyclic loading followed by consolidation.
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