LAUSR

Abstract A series of 1 g model tests was performed to investigate the effect of loading rate on the vertical pullout capacity of offshore bucket foundations in sand. The bucket model had a length-to-diameter ratio of 1.0. Loading rates varied from 0.004 N/s to 2.05 N/s. The pullout load increased with bucket displacement and loading rate. The loading rate of 0.004 N/s induced drained conditions with negligible suction pressure and high skin resistance. Increasing the loading rate induced high suction pressures inside the bucket. The bucket pullout capacity increased with bucket displacement and loading rate. Suction pressure increased with bucket displacement and loading rate and contributed considerably to the pullout capacity. The bucket resistance to pullout load increased with the increase in loading rate. Equations were proposed to evaluate the drained and undrained pullout capacities of the bucket.