3.10.2 Jack-up foundation analysis

Product: ABAQUS/Standard  

I. Initial embedment analysis

Elements tested

JOINT2D    JOINT3D   

Problem description

The initial embedment calculation as a function of the preload is verified for sand and clay models. A two-step single-element elastic analysis is performed with a given jack-up foundation preload for the different models. JOINT3D elements are used. In the first step the base node is fixed, and the tip node is subjected to concentrated forces and moments. The second step is a static perturbation analysis about the previous step. The analysis is done for the six models described below. It is verified that the embedment value is correct and that the elastic modulus has the correct dependence on embedment.

Force units are kN, and length units are meters.

  1. Sand model, cylindrical spud can:

    Spud can diameter10.9
    Spud can cone angle180°
    Foundation preload50600
    Foundation tensile capacity0.0
    Soil submerged unit weight10.0
    Soil friction angle33°
    Soil Poisson's ratio0.2
    Foundation elastic shear moduli, 5.14 × 104
    3.87 × 103
    2.04 × 104
    Constant coefficient, 1.0
    Constant coefficient, 0.5

  2. Sand model, conical spud can—embedment greater than critical:

    The properties for the soil are the same as in Case a.

    Spud can diameter10.9
    Spud can cone angle150°
    Foundation preload50,000
    Foundation tensile capacity0

  3. Sand model, conical spud can—embedment less than critical:

    The properties of the spud can and the soil are same as in Case b. The foundation preload is 15000 for this case.

  4. Clay model, cylindrical spud can:

    Spud can diameter20.0
    Spud can cone angle180°
    Foundation preload1.3 × 105
    Foundation tensile capacity0.0
    Soil submerged unit weight10.0
    Soil undrained shear strength150.0
    Soil Poisson's ratio0.5
    Foundation elastic shear moduli, 1.56 × 104
    2.34 × 103
    6.38 × 104
    Hardening parameter, 7.204 × 104
    Hardening parameter, 1.978 × 103

  5. Clay model, conical spud can—embedment greater than critical:

    Spud can diameter20.0
    Spud can cone angle150°
    Foundation preload8.5 × 105
    Foundation tensile capacity0.0
    Soil submerged unit weight10.0
    Soil undrained shear strength50.0
    Soil Poisson's ratio0.5
    Foundation elastic shear moduli, 1.56 × 104
    2.34 × 103
    6.38 × 104
    Hardening parameter, –2.395 × 10–5
    Hardening parameter, 8.777 × 10–6
    Hardening parameter, 2.9294

  6. Clay model, conical spud can—embedment less than critical:

    The properties of the soil and the spud can are the same as in Case e. The foundation preload is 1.3 × 105.

Six additional elements test initial field variable dependence of the material properties. At the specified values of the field variables these elements have the properties of models a, b, c, d, e, and f.

Results and discussion

The initial embedment for each of the models is in agreement with analytical results.

Input file

paqajembed.inp

Initial embedment analysis.

II. Push-over analysis: sand model

Problem description

The structure tested is a four-leg square platform with a footing at each leg corner. The model can be reduced to two dimensions because of symmetry. The model is projected onto a vertical plane that cuts diagonally across the platform. The legs are modeled with B21 beam elements, and the foundation is modeled with JOINT2D elements. The platform is modeled as a two-dimensional portal frame, with one windward leg, one leeward leg, and two legs in the middle. The platform is considered rigid and is modeled with RB2D2 elements. Four push-over analyses with different foundation bearing capacities are performed.

Force units are kN, and length units are meters.

Leg length59
Leg EI1.0 × 1015
Leg AE3.0 × 1015
Leg GA2.0 × 1015
Horizontal distance from platform c.g. to leeward leg29.33
Horizontal distance from platform c.g. to windward leg29.33
Horizontal distance from platform c.g. to middle legs0
Spud can diameter14.0
Spud can cone angle180°
Foundation preload, four cases387500, 530000, 650000, 775000
Foundation tensile capacity40000
Spud can initial vertical load52250
Vertical distance from c.g. to load application point0
Soil submerged unit weight10.0
Soil friction angle35°
Soil Poisson's ratio0.2
Foundation elastic shear moduli, 1.63 × 105
2.92 × 104
2.10 × 104
Constant coefficient, 0.3
Constant coefficient, 0.3

The ultimate bearing capacity is determined by applying a load larger than the bearing capacity in a static step with a time period of 1. This load ramps up over the step, and the analysis fails to converge when the bearing capacity is reached. The capacity is determined by multiplying the reference load (in these cases 200000 kN) by the fraction of the time step completed.

For accurate results in a push-over analysis, experience shows that small time increments should be used to integrate the plasticity equations accurately. These analyses were each run with three different fixed time increments.

Results and discussion

The ultimate bearing capacity for the four cases of foundation preloads are found to be in good agreement with the following reference capacities calculated using an external code.

 Ref.ABAQUS capacity
Preloadcapacity = 1 × 10–2 = 1 × 10–3 = 1 × 10–4
387.5 × 103126 × 10330 × 103125 × 103124 × 103
530 × 103137 × 103140 × 103136 × 103136 × 103
650 × 103145 × 103146 × 103143 × 103143 × 103
775 × 103150 × 103152 × 103153 × 103150 × 103

The input file paqajsandp.inp models the 775000 kN preload case, with an applied force of 95% of the ultimate capacity of 150000 kN over a step of 100 increments.

Input file

paqajsandp.inp

Push-over analysis for sand model.

III. Monotonic loading analysis: clay model

Problem description

The test problem is a monotonic horizontal loading analysis of a triangular three-leg jack-up rig on clay. The rig is modeled as a frame composed of rigid elements, with two windward legs and one leeward leg. For the two-dimensional analysis the model is projected on a vertical plane of symmetry. Loading for both the two- and three-dimensional analyses is in this plane, so both analyses produce the same results. The loading consists of an applied horizontal load at a point below the rigid frame. The legs are modeled with B21 elements, and the joints are modeled with JOINT2D elements.

The properties of the soil and the spud can are as described in Case d of the initial embedment analysis.

Leg length110.6
Leg EI2.48 × 109
Leg AE1.54 ×1015
Leg GA3.61 × 1015
Horizontal distance from platform c.g. to leeward leg37.0
Horizontal distance from platform c.g. to windward leg18.0
Spud can initial vertical load6.6 × 104
Vertical distance from c.g. to load application point–55.0

Results and discussion

The estimated load paths for the windward and the leeward legs are in agreement with the load paths calculated from an external code.

Input files

paqajclaym.inp

Monotonic loading analysis for clay model.

paqajclaym3d.inp

Monotonic loading analysis for clay model, three-dimensional.

IV. Clay model with conical spud can

Problem description

The test structure is the same as that of Monotonic loading analysis: clay model” in “Jack-up foundation analysis, Section 3.10.2. The soil plastic properties are different, and the spud can is conical. A conical spud can produces rather different results in this case, even in the elastic region, and the model verifies that the elastic properties depend correctly on the plastic properties through the embedment. The analysis consists of horizontal loading of the rig up to the value of 18000 kN.

The soil and spud can properties are as given in Case e of the initial embedment analysis. The rig dimensions are the same as that of the monotonic loading analysis.

Results and discussion

The load-displacement curve for the centroid of the platform and the moment-horizontal load curves for the windward and leeward spud cans are compared to those obtained from an external code and are in agreement.

Input file

paqajclaymc.inp

Monotonic loading analysis for clay model with conical spud can.

V. Monotonic loading: member

Problem description

The test structure is a half-model of a four-leg square rig, projected on the vertical, nondiagonal plane of symmetry. The horizontal and vertical loads are applied at the center of gravity of the platform. The shear stiffness of the legs is not included in the model; B23 elements are used. The spud cans are modeled as elastic-perfectly plastic in this case, using the “member”-type plasticity model. The vertical load is ramped up from 20 to 100 in the first step and then held constant until the end of the step. In the next step the horizontal load is ramped to 14.

The dimensions of the rig in the plane, the beam properties, and the elastic properties of the spud can are as given in the clay push-over analysis. The plastic properties of the member are given below:

Parabolic yield function parameters:
100
100
2400
1015

Results and discussion

The moment-axial interaction for the leeward spud can and the member is calculated, plotted, and determined to be proceeding correctly along the fixed yield surface.

Input file

paqajmembm.inp

Monotonic loading for perfectly plastic “member” model.