This article presents a framework for a consistent, rigorous, and super-fast suction caisson design. By considering cyclic loading effects and implementing all relevant geotechnical design tasks in a semi-automatic design tool, a wide range of different site and soil conditions can be assessed in a very short time frame. This enables the designer to focus on the design basis and identify key uncertainties and risks. The core of the implementation is a super-fast finite element solver, used for both foundation capacity, serviceability, and soil-foundation stiffness. By means of an optimisation routine, which also considers the installation feasibility, the program identifies an optimised foundation geometry and automatically establishes the input parameters to other design disciplines, including structural design and integrated load analysis.
The ambitious targets set by many countries around the world to increase the amount of energy generated from renewable sources require the development and construction of large number of new power plants. This includes offshore wind power, which has seen massive growth in recent years and is expected to grow even faster in the coming years (DNV, 2021). To achieve these goals, all supply chain processes must be accelerated and streamlined without compromising reliability and project risk. This concerns all disciplines, including the geotechnical and structural design.
This article presents a framework for a consistent, rigorous, and super-fast suction caisson design, based on the workflow proposed by Sturm (2017). By considering cyclic loading effects and implementing all relevant geotechnical design tasks in a semi-automatic design tool, denoted Suction Bucket Design Tool (SBDT), a wide range of different site and soil conditions can be assessed in a very short time frame. This enables the designer to focus on the design basis and identify key uncertainties which matter, i.e., risks, and not being time-constrained by performing the calculations. The core of the implementation is a Finite Element (FE) solver, presented by Sivasithamparam & Jostad (2020), which is used for both foundation capacity, serviceability, and soil-foundation stiffness for ULS and FLS. By means of an optimisation routine, which also considers the installation feasibility, SBDT identifies an optimised foundation geometry and can in addition automatically establish the input parameters to other design disciplines, including structural design and integrated load analysis.
