The bearing capacities of spudcan foundation under pure vertical （/1）, horizontal （H）, moment （M） loading and the combined loading are studied based on a series of three-dimensional finite element analysis. The effects of embedment ratio and soil non-homogeneity on the bearing capacity are investigated in detail. The capacities of spudcan under different pure loading are expressed in non-dimensional bearing capacity factors, which are compared with published results. Ultimate limit states under combined loading are presented by failure envelopes, which are expressed in terms of dimensionless and normalized form in three-dimensional load space. The comparison between the presented failure envelopes and available published numerical results reveals that the size and shape of failure envelopes are dependent on the embedment ratio and the non-homogeneity of the soil.
The pipe configuration and internal loads along the pipeline during the pipeline laying process have long been the focus of engineers. Most researchers simplify the seabed to be rigid and the water to be calm, ignoring the pipe embedment into the seabed and the influence of ocean currents. In this paper, a novel numerical approach is proposed for the laying of pipelines in the so-called J-lay method, taking into account the importance of both pipe embedment and ocean currents. The pipeline is divided into two parts, one part suspended in water, and the other laid on the seabed. The continuity of the two parts at the touch down point (TDP) is guaranteed to make a whole. The feasibility of the model is proved by the comparison between the present model and an analytical model, which shows good agreement in both pipeline configuration and bending moment distribution. Finally, parametric study was performed to consider the influence of current velocity, water depth, top inclination angle, and seabed stiffness, and conclusions are drawn.
