A modified p-y curve model for offshore piles near sandy slopes considering the soil-pile-slope deformation mechanism

Abstract

To extend the hyperbolic p-y curve model for level ground to the design of offshore piles near sandy slopes, three modifications must be incorporated: the curve framework, the ultimate soil resistance, and the initial stiffness. A new curve framework is developed, in which the displacement that determines the soil resistance is changed to the sum of the soil compression instead of the pile deflection, by considering the soil-pile-slope deformation mechanism. The ultimate soil resistance, affected by the slope angle and near-slope distance, is derived using the failure wedge (FW) model. A modified initial stiffness is obtained by considering the reduction in effective overburden pressure. The accuracy of the modified model is verified through centrifuge tests and model tests. Finally, the effects of the slope angle, near-slope distance, and soil-pile-slope deformation mechanism on the pile response and the modified model are discussed. The modified model provides practicing engineers with a simple yet comprehensive theoretical approach, without the need for additional pile tests or numerical analysis.