Shakedown Analysis of Clay Seabed under Wave Induced Loading

Abstract

This paper describes a method of applying the results of cyclic triaxial tests on undisturbed samples of a marine clay to predict the settlement of a breakwater. The stresses and strains beneath the structure are determined using a finite element analysis allowing the determination of shear deformations under undrained cyclic loading and settlements due to post-cyclic volumetric changes. The results of numerical analysis indicate that the cyclic-induced settlements of a lightweight breakwater on seabed clay are mainly influenced by the kind of breakwater, the direction of wave action and the base width of breakwater.