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Impact of soil spatial variability on spudcan penetration resistance and mobilized shear strength.

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Title: Impact of soil spatial variability on spudcan penetration resistance and mobilized shear strength.
Authors: Yi, Jiang Tao1 (AUTHOR), Li, Hao Ran1 (AUTHOR) Izzy-Lee@outlook.com, Liu, Ji Zhou1 (AUTHOR), Li, Si Yu2 (AUTHOR), Tang, Hong Yu1 (AUTHOR), Han, Xiao1 (AUTHOR), Ran, Jing Nian1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Georisk: Assessment & Management of Risk for Engineered Systems & Geohazards. Mar2026, Vol. 20 Issue 1, p319-336. 18p.
Subjects: Shear strength, Soils, Finite element method, Random fields, Building foundations, Monte Carlo method, Geotechnical engineering
Abstract: Spudcans are widely used in the oil and gas industry to support mobile jack-up platforms by penetrating the seabed. Due to the complex geological formation processes, natural marine soils exhibit significant spatial variability in key properties. Despite advances in recent years, most stochastic analyses of offshore foundations have been limited to small-strain calculations. Attempts at large-deformation random finite element analyses have been made, but they are not yet exhaustive. This paper presents a comprehensive three-dimensional large-deformation finite-element analysis within a Monte Carlo simulation framework, incorporating random field theory. Various combinations of coefficient of variation, vertical, and horizontal autocorrelation lengths are explored. The load-displacement curves of the spudcan in random soil are found to exhibit both a global deterministic trend and local variability. By developing the mobilised shear strength ratio, deterministic trends can be removed, allowing focus on local variability. The log-normal distribution function can well capture the characteristics of the distribution of mobilised shear strength ratio probability. A closed-form expression is established for determining the characteristic shear strength and its associated design parameters. This expression provides a robust probabilistic framework for estimating characteristic shear strength, enhancing the reliability of geotechnical design practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:Spudcans are widely used in the oil and gas industry to support mobile jack-up platforms by penetrating the seabed. Due to the complex geological formation processes, natural marine soils exhibit significant spatial variability in key properties. Despite advances in recent years, most stochastic analyses of offshore foundations have been limited to small-strain calculations. Attempts at large-deformation random finite element analyses have been made, but they are not yet exhaustive. This paper presents a comprehensive three-dimensional large-deformation finite-element analysis within a Monte Carlo simulation framework, incorporating random field theory. Various combinations of coefficient of variation, vertical, and horizontal autocorrelation lengths are explored. The load-displacement curves of the spudcan in random soil are found to exhibit both a global deterministic trend and local variability. By developing the mobilised shear strength ratio, deterministic trends can be removed, allowing focus on local variability. The log-normal distribution function can well capture the characteristics of the distribution of mobilised shear strength ratio probability. A closed-form expression is established for determining the characteristic shear strength and its associated design parameters. This expression provides a robust probabilistic framework for estimating characteristic shear strength, enhancing the reliability of geotechnical design practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:17499518
DOI:10.1080/17499518.2025.2516258