Experimental studies on the anti-uplift behavior of the suction caissons in sand

•Seven-five model tests were conducted in sand to explore the anti-uplift behavior of suction caissons.•The influences of the aspect ratios, the loading inclination angles and loading positions on the pull-out capacity of the suction caisson were studied.•The optimum loading position and loading angle were obtained under various loading conditions.•The deformation characteristic and the failure mechanism of the suction caissons under different load conditions were analyzed.

A series of model tests was conducted in sand to explore the anti-uplift behavior of suction caissons, considering the effects of aspect ratios, load inclination angles and loading positions. This paper emphasizes on analyzing the deformation characteristic and the mechanism of the suction caissons under various loading conditions. The movement modes of the suction caisson are different when the load inclination angle increases from 0° to 90° corresponding to various mooring positions. The pull-out bearing capacity decreases with load inclination angles increasing. When the load inclination angle changes from 0° to 60°, the bearing capacity reduces more significantly than that between inclination angle of 60° and 90°. While the load inclination angle is relatively small, the pull-out capacity of the suction caisson decreases after reaching the peak as the loading position moves downwards. Moreover, the optimum loading position locates between 2/3 and 3/4 of the caisson length. The optimum loading position is at the bottom of the caisson when the load inclination angle exceeds 60°. However, the influence of the loading position on the pull-out capacity of the caisson can be ignored while the load inclination angle equals to 90°. The pull-out bearing capacity increases as the aspect ratio increases but the aspect ratio has no effect on the deformation characteristic of the suction caisson.