Ultimate Horizontal Loading Capacity of Suction Piles

An analytical solution procedure that can estimate the resistance of suction piles against horizontal loads was developed by considering the truly 3-dimensional behaviors. It considers the development of 3-dimensional normal and shear stresses along the circumference of the pile surface as well as a 3-dimensional soil failure wedge. The geocentrifuge test results were analyzed and compared to validate the analytical solution of the ultimate horizontal loading capacity of suction piles.