Exploring the bearing characteristics of suction bucket foundations in Offshore wind turbines: A comprehensive analysis of tensile and compressive behavior

Suction buckets, recognized as efficient foundation structures, have found extensive applications in ocean engineering. In this study, numerical simulations are performed based on centrifuge test results to investigate the tensile and compressive behaviors of bucket foundations, considering the aspect ratio (AP). Two types of bucket foundations are defined with different AP values, namely wide-shallow and narrow-deep, respectively. The primary objective of this research is to examine the vertical bearing performance of bucket foundations under tension and compression conditions. A significant finding indicates that the ultimate bearing capacity of the bucket foundation increases with a higher AP. Additionally, there is a distinct mechanism of soil stress response between the outer and inner sides of the bucket under drainage tension. The evolution of soil stress is analyzed to illustrate the soil plug behavior within the bucket under compressive conditions. Consequently, an optional design method is proposed to assess the ultimate compressive bearing capacity, and it is validated against established experimental results. The outcomes of this study serve as a meaningful reference for the practical design of bucket foundations in engineering applications.