Analysis of pullout load capacity of suction caissons in clay by a three-dimensional displacement approach

A study was made to present analytical solutions of pullout load capacity for a suction caisson subjected to inclined tension in clay. The inclined tension on the skirt of the suction caisson is transformed into an equivalent system comprised of the vertical, horizontal, and moment load applied on the center of the lid. The vertical and horizontal stiffness coefficients along the skirt of the suction caisson in clay are presented by three-dimensional elastic solutions considering the nonhomogeneous and nonlinear property of clay. The vertical, horizontal, and rocking stiffness coefficient of the suction caisson on the base are presented considering the solutions of a hollow rigid cylindrical punch acting on the surface of clay. The envelopes of the horizontal and vertical ultimate load capacity for clay are presented. The yield, pullout, and failure for clay are taken into consideration. The effects of load inclination, loading depth, and aspect ratio on the pullout load capacity are shown. Behavior of the suction caisson in clay up to failure is investigated using the relationship between tensile load and displacement and that between depth, vertical, and horizontal pressure.