Effects of the Initial Consolidation on the 3D Wave-Induced Seabed Response Around a Pile Available to Purchase

Seabed consolidation state could be seen as the initial simulation condition for numerically simulating wave-induced seabed response. In this study, based on a three dimensional numerical model, effects of initial consolidation state on the 3D wave-induced unsaturated seabed response around mono-pile were investigated. By model application, the consolidation state of seabed around the pile foundation was described. Two common calculation approaches (seabed consolidation is considered or not) for wave-induced seabed response were compared by describing the distributions pattern of soil effective stresses and pore pressures around the pile. Significance of the consolidation state on seabed dynamic response against distances to pile was also carefully addressed. Numerical simulations indicated (1) the initial consolidation significantly increases the vertical effective normal stress in the vicinity of pile, (2) effects of the initial seabed consolidation on the wave-induced seabed response decrease with the increasing distance to the pile. This study suggests the initial consolidation should be considered in assessing the seabed stability for the design of the mono-pile foundation.