A semi-empirical method for the liquefaction analysis of offshore foundations

This paper presents a relatively simple method for three-dimensional liquef action analysis of granular soil under offshore foundations. In this method , the Mohr-Coulomb model, which defines the elasto-plastic stress-strain re lationship under monotonic loading, is modified to accommodate the plastic strains generated by cyclic loading. The effects of cyclic loading, evaluat ed from the results of laboratory tests on saturated samples of soil, are i ncorporated into the model. The method is implemented in an efficient finit e element program for analyses of three-dimensional consolidating soil. The practicability of the model is demonstrated by analysis of a typical offsh ore foundation, and the predictions of the numerical analysis are compared with the observed behaviour of the foundation. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wile y & Sons, Ltd.