Centrifuge study of the combined bearing capacity of a hybrid foundation system

Abstract

In this study, a hybrid foundation concept is presented. The concept combines a skirted mat with a suction caisson to enable self-installation and suction-induced preloading of the footing. To quantify the increase in the combined Vertical (V), Horizontal (H) and Moment (M) loading capacity resulting from the addition of the caisson, centrifuge experiments have been conducted. A series of swipe tests were performed on the hybrid foundation of a particular geometry to explore its VHM yield envelope under different vertical loads. A newly developed VHM loading apparatus, with independent control of the in-plane vertical, horizontal and rotational degrees-of-freedom, especially developed to inv..