Calculation of hydro-dynamic stability of the soil inside bucket in the process of bucket foundation penetration

The offshore platform with bucket foundations is a;new type of offshore pla tform that distinguishes from traditional template platforms by replacing d riven piles with bucket foundations. The suction penentration of bucket fou ndation is a complicated hydro-dynamic process. The key of this process is the seepage field caused by the difference of pressure applied on purpose i nside and outside the bucket. The appearance and developement of seepage fi eld has a decisive influence on the suction penetration process. In this st udy, the finite element analysis method is applied to the dynamic simulatio n of the seepage field of suction penetration of bucket foundation. A crite rion is suggested to distinguish the hydro-dynamic stability of the soil in side the bucket according to the critical hydraulic gradient method. The re liability of the model and its applicability to engineering practice have b een proved through comparison between the results of model test and finite element calculation.