An effective stress framework for the variation in penetration resistance due to episodes of remoulding and reconsolidation

Abstract

Steel catenary risers (SCRs) are used to transport hydrocarbon products between offshore floating platforms and the seabed. Like many offshore structures, SCRs are subjected to gross cyclic movements during operation, which remould the seabed soil. The fatigue life of these structures is highly sensitive to the stiffness and strength of the seabed response. Accurate modelling of this behaviour requires a framework that can capture the changes in soil strength and stiffness that occur throughout the design life, accounting for remoulding during extreme events, and reconsolidation during the intervening periods. This paper describes such a framework, which is couched in effective stress terms...