Shaking table tests for seismic response of jack-up platform with pile leg-mat foundation on sandy seabed

Abstract

The pile leg-mat foundation is a novel composite foundation designed for jack-up offshore platforms. The seismic response of such foundations in sandy seabeds is an issue that requires significant attention. In this study, shaking table tests were conducted under various input seismic waves to investigate the dynamic response of a seabed platform system subjected to seismic loads. The effects of the peak ground acceleration (PGA), seismic wave frequency, wave type, pile leg insertion depth, and pile length on the response of the seabed platform system were investigated. The results indicated that as the PGA increased, the acceleration response of the soil and platform model increased, increasing the accumulation of excess pore water pressure and the horizontal displacement of the platform model. The acceleration and horizontal displacement responses of the seismic wave with lower frequencies were higher than those with higher frequencies. The peak acceleration amplification factors under the measured and regular seismic waves showed significant differences, with the dynamic response of regular waves to the platform model being pronounced. Under seismic waves with low PGAs, the horizontal displacement of the platform model decreased with increasing pile leg insertion depth or pile length.