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This paper reports a measure for easing spudcan-footprint interaction issues, with the efficiency of perforation drilling tested through model tests carried out at lg. The soil conditions tested simulate a moderate seabed strength profile close to the mudline, with undrained shear strength of 25 kPa. The most critical reinstallation location of ID (D = spudcan diameter) was investigated. An existing footprint depth of 0.66D was considered, with the evidence from a half-spudcan test. A 'shower head' apparatus was employed to perform perforation drilling operation on an optimized pattern. Three spudcan tests were conducted on un-perforated footprint, perforated footprint and level ground. The spudcan was rigidly connected to a leg instrumented by three sets of bending strain gauges and one set of axial strain gauges to record the vertical load applied and the bending moment generated during testing. Free lateral displacement of the leg was allowed during the installation. The removal of soil (through perforation) inside the spudcan perimeter, with an area of 9% perforated, reduced the induced maximum moment and horizontal sliding distance by 39% and 23-52% respectively. This was supported by the observed failure mechanisms: catastrophic sliding failure turned to a near vertical penetration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which examined the undrained and drained behaviors of a laterally loaded bucket foundation in a silty sand. Topics discussed include the simulation of the loading conditions of a typical offshore wind turbine foundation, larger load bearing resistance in the undrained condition than in the drained condition and induced negative excess pore water pressure under undrained loading.

The article discusses research which investigated the installation of spudcan foundation in layered soils by centrifuge test and large deformation finite element (LDFE) analysis. Topics discussed include an insight into the spudcan foundation behaviour during vertical penetration into layered soils and the use of Coupled Lagrangian-Eulerian (CEL) approach.

The article discusses research which investigated the installation of stiffened and unstiffened caissons in non-homogeneous clays through large deformation finite element (LDFE) analyses. Topics discussed include the two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric analysis using the Remeshing and Interpolation Technique with Small Strain (RITSS) and installation resistance.

The article discusses a study that investigated the bearing capacity responses of spud-cans and skirted footings that penetrate into sand over clay soils. The use of centrifuge tests and large deformation finite element (LDFE) simulations in the study is described. The study showed the ability of a skirted footing to reduce the potential of punch-through failure of a foundation on sand over clay soils.