Determination of p-y Curves using Finite Element Modelling for Bucket Foundation in Undrained Soft and Medium Clay

In many years the types of foundation, such as monopiles and bucket foundation which are used in the offshore wind turbine industry, have been analysed analytically with formulations that are based on much slender piles, than are used today. Because of that, the analytical calculation is not describing the connection between the horizontal bearing capacity of the soil and the displacement of the foundation accurate, in particular for the bucket foundation because of the much smaller slenderness of the profile. Numerical modelling is used to examine that bearing capacity the bucket foundation has in soft and medium clay at different dimensions of the bucket, to a horizontal displacement. After that a mathematical formulation is determined, based on (Reese et al, 1975), so it is possible to get a more accurate result in an analytical calculation.