Use of Suction Piles for Mooring of Mobile Offshore Bases.

The following is a summary of literature studies on large cylindrical caissons driven into the seabed by hydrostatic underpressure. These caissons are referred to as Suction piles. Suction piles have been in existence since at least the 1950s. The genesis of suction piles and their study will be covered in a historical review of research on this system This report also includes discussions of other relevant parameters relating to the installation and retention of suction piles. Soil stresses relevant to the installation and use of suction piles will also be examined. Installation procedures, including a discussion of critical suction pressures for installation in clay and sand will also be surveyed. In the area of suction pile retention after emplacement, tensile failure in the soil beneath the pile, reverse end bearing capacity of the system, pile wall friction, pore water pressure, static and cyclic loading conditions, lateral loading of the pile, and tether attachment point will all be considered. These subjects all relate to the installation and performance of suction piles for use in deep sea mooring points for floating structures such as mobile offshore bases.