Geotechnical Centrifuge Investigation of the Effectiveness of a Novel Spudcan in Easing Spudcan-Footprint Interactions

Abstract

The interaction between a spudcan and an existing footprint is one of the major concerns during the reinstallation of jack-up rigs. This paper reports the results from a series of centrifuge model tests undertaken to assess the efficiency of a recently developed novel spudcan shape with a flat base and four holes through the base to ease spudcan-footprint interactions. The experimental program was carried out at 200 g in a beam centrifuge. The footprints were created either manually using a cutting tool or through spudcan penetration and extraction allowing a typical operation period as well as an elapsed time prior to reinstallation. While the former allowed a consistent evaluation of the b..