Reliability Analysis of Tension Pile

Abstract

A probabilistic model for analysis of the pullout capacity for a tension pile installed in clay is formulated, based on conventional methods for prediction of the axial capacity of a pile, the pile forms a part of the foundation for an offshore tension leg platform. Static as well as cyclic pullout of the pile is considered, the latter being based on the strain accumulation method. The model accounts for uncertainties in the loading as well as in the soil strength and deformation properties. An example pile in clay is considered, and its reliability against static and cyclic pullout is computed, based on first‐order reliability methods. A comparison is carried out between the reliability solutions for static and cyclic pullout of the pile, respectively, and an investigation into the effect of modeling a flexible pile rather than a rigid pile is made. An interpretation of the most important uncertainty sources is given, and a sensitivity study is included.