Antenna Soil Structure Interaction Model -

TECHNICAL NOTE
Nueva Refineria Dos Bocas

Document type: Technical Note Company Van Oord

Date: 06 October 2023 Revision: D

Client: PTI-ID

Project Title: Nueva Refineria Dos Bocas

Document Number: 10.6290-VOO-INS-ENG-TN-0007

Prepared by: Christian Hoffmann Approved by: Gabriel Vazquez

© Copyright Van Oord N.V. 2023

Copyright by Van Oord N.V. or any of its subsidiaries ("Van Oord Group").

This document is the property of Van Oord Group. This document or any part thereof is CONFIDENTIAL and may not be made
known, copied, multiplied, or used in any other way without the permission of Van Oord Group.

Technical Note | 06 October 2023 | rev. D

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Revision record

Revision number Description Date

A First Issue 28-06-2023
B Revised Issue 04-07-2023
C Revised Issue 25-08-2023
D Revised Issue 06-10-2023

Table of contents
1 Objective .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2 References ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Documents............................................................................................................................... 4
3 Soil structure interaction model for foundation analysis................................................................... 5
Background.............................................................................................................................. 5
Soil conditions.......................................................................................................................... 5
3.2.1 Location ............................................................................................................................... 5
3.2.2 Available soil data ................................................................................................................ 5
Soil profile at the area of the antenna ..................................................................................... 6
Soil Properties ......................................................................................................................... 7
3.4.1 Stiffness ............................................................................................................................... 7
3.4.2 Strength ............................................................................................................................... 8
4 Soil structure interaction model ........................................................................................................ 9
Basic principles ........................................................................................................................ 9
4.1.1 Settlement calculation procedure (Stiffness of the reaction curves) ................................... 9
4.1.2 Bearing capacity (limiting pressure) .................................................................................. 10
Load – settlement reaction curves......................................................................................... 11
4.2.1 Settlements (Stiffness) ...................................................................................................... 11
4.2.2 Bearing capacity ................................................................................................................ 13
4.2.3 Soil-structure interaction model ......................................................................................... 13
Soil reaction ........................................................................................................................... 14
5 Liquefaction settlements ................................................................................................................ 15
Assessment methodology (CPT based) ................................................................................ 15
Liquefaction settlements ........................................................................................................ 16
6 Final Comments ............................................................................................................................. 17

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1 Objective
The objective of this report is to elaborate a Soil Structure Interaction Model for the structural and
geotechnical design of the foundation slab for the antenna.

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2 References

Documents
Number Document Name Document Number
(Van Oord)

DAS, B. M. (2004), Principles of foundation engineering – 5th

[Ref. P1] -
edition, Pacific Grove, Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning

ROBERTSON, P.K., CABAL, K.L. (2014) Guide to cone

[Ref. P2] penetration testing for geotechnical engineering 6th edition. Signal -
Hill, USA: Gregg Drilling & Testing Inc.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION (2006) EN

[Ref. P3] 1997-2 Geotechnical Design – Part 2: Ground investigation and -
testing. Brussels: CEN

IDRISS, I.M., BOULANGER, R.W. (2008) Soil Liquefaction during

Earthquakes, Engineering Monographs on Miscellaneous
[Ref. P4] -
Earthquake Engineering Topics, MNO-12, Oakland, USA:
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

TOKIMATSU, K. SEED, H.B.(1987) Evaluation of settlements in

[Ref. P5] sands due to earthquake shaking, Journal of Geotechnical -
Engineering, 113(8), 861-879.

ZHANG, G., ROBERTSON, P.K., BRACHMAN, R.W.I.(2002)

[Ref. P6] Estimating liquefaction-induced ground settlements from CPT for -
level ground, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 39, 1168-1180

DAS, B. M. (2004), Principles of foundation engineering – 5th

[Ref. P7] -
edition, Pacific Grove, Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning

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3 Soil structure interaction model for foundation analysis

Background
For the communication between the main land and the monobuoys an antenna is being installed
inland. The antenna is 40m tall and it is founded on the ground by means of a concrete slab.

In the following sections local soil conditions are analysed and a soil structure interaction (SSI) model
is proposed to be used in the implementation of the structural model.

Soil conditions
3.2.1 Location
The antenna is located close to the shore in the north-west part of the refinery. Antenna location is
presented in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1. Antenna location and structural model.

3.2.2 Available soil data

During the soil improvement works dynamic compaction was performed in the area of study. The
available information is presented in Figure 3-2 .

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 Soil profile at the area of the antenna
The soil profile at the location of the antenna is defined based on the available CPT tests performed
as part of the quality control and quality assessment of the soil improvement works. Figure 3-2 show
results from CPT tests performed after dynamic compaction in the vicinity of the antenna.

Figure 3-2. CPT results from QA/QC performed after dynamic compaction works.

CPTs in the vicinity show a good homogeneity over the entire area allowing for extending these results
to the foundation analysis, .

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Figure 3-3. CPT test performed at the location of the antenna (1-i-1).

Soil Properties
3.4.1 Stiffness
The Young’s modulus at 0.1% strain has been determined using the correlation using the correlation
for young, uncemented predominantly silica sands proposed in [Ref. P1]:

𝐸 = 𝛼 ∙ (𝑞 − 𝜎 ) 3-1
With:

. .
𝛼 = 0.015[10 ] 3-2
where:

𝐸 Young’s modulus

𝛼 empirical factor based on soil type

𝐼 soil type index in accordance with procedure proposed by [Ref. P1].

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For silty sands characterized by a 𝐼 = 1.65 the value of 𝛼 varies between 5-6.

3.4.2 Strength
The effective strength parameters are defined in correspondence with a medium dense to dense silty
sand.

Table 3-1: Soil parameters (Characteristic values)

Parameter Symbol Shape correction factor

Saturated density 𝜸𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒕 [kN/m3] 18.0
Unsaturated
𝜸𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒌 [kN/m3] 19.5
density
Friction angle 𝝋’ [°] 34
Cohesion c' [kPa] 0

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4 Soil structure interaction model

Basic principles
A soil-structure interaction model is proposed where the soil is assumed to provide support to the
structure according to the following principles:

- Soil response is considered as a series of springs reacting to the vertical displacement.

- Spring reaction curves are considered with a linear elastic response in compression limited on
the maximum compression to the bearing capacity of the soil.
- Limiting pressure is defined considering the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil in
combination with a global Factor of Safety (FS=3).
- Non tension. It is assumed that the foundation slab can form a gap between the concrete and
the soil when tension is produced. This is implemented either by means of an iterative
procedure where springs are “disconnected” from the foundation slab when tensile stress is
produced or, if the structural software allow for it, using a nonlinear explicit definition of the
reaction curve.

4.1.1 Settlement calculation procedure (Stiffness of the reaction curves)

Loading of shallow footings cause the subsoil within the influence depth of the footing to undergo
settlements. Settlement prediction is performed based on a modified version the semi-empirical
approach of Schmertmann as presented by Robertson ([Ref. P3]) which is also in line with the
Eurocode 7 ([Ref. P3]).
The direct settlement of each sub-layer under the shallow footing is defined by:
𝐼
𝑆 = 𝐶 𝐶 (𝑞 − 𝜎′ ) ∆𝑧 4-1
𝐸∙𝐶
With:
𝜎′
𝐶 = 1 − 0.5 4-2
𝑞 − 𝜎′
𝐶 = 1 + 0.2 log 10𝑡 4-3
Where:
𝑆 shallow footing settlement
𝐶 depth correction factor
𝐶 correction factor for creep and cyclic loading
𝐶 shape correction factor
𝑞 foundation pressure
𝜎′ effective vertical initial in-situ stress at foundation depth
𝐸 Young’s modulus of layer 𝑖
∆𝑧 thickness of layer 𝑖
𝐼 vertical strain influence factor of layer 𝑖 (see Figure 4-1)
𝑡 time in years since load application

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Figure 4-1:Strain influence factor with depth ([Ref. P1])

The value for the shape correction factor 𝐶 is given in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1: Shape influence factors (ref. [1])

Type of footing Shape correction factor

Circular footing 1.00
Square footing 1.20
Strip footing 1.75

4.1.2 Bearing capacity (limiting pressure)

The limiting pressure of the springs representing the soil below the foundation level is defined
considering the ultimate bearing capacity of a foundation as proposed by Terzaghi and modified
further by several authors to account on various effects line load inclination, relative depth and
foundation shape. Das (2004,[Ref. P1]) presented a comprehensive approach for a continuous (or
strip-) foundation, the failure surface in soil at ultimate load may be assumed to be similar to that
shown in Figure 4-2.
The general bearing capacity equation is valid for foundation footings on homogeneous soils,
extending to considerable depths. The soil properties 𝑐, 𝜑 and 𝛾 are considered to be constant with
depth (see 4.2.2).The general expression for the ultimate bearing pressure is:

𝑞 = 𝑐𝑁 𝑠 𝑑 + 𝑞𝑁 𝑠 𝑑 + 0.5𝛾𝐵𝑁 𝑠 𝑑
With
𝑁 , 𝑁 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁 the bearing capacity factors and 𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑 the shape and depth factors respectively.

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 Y LOS RESULTADOS SE
MUESTRAN EN....?
Figure 4-2: Bearing capacity of a continuous foundation ([Ref. P1])

Load – settlement reaction curves

4.2.1 Settlements (Stiffness)
The soil reaction curves are defined considering a square footing of 7m and at 1.5m depth.
Settlements are calculated for upper and lower CPT profiles considering a uniform pressure of 100kPa
as a reference value. Model is schematically represented in Error! Reference source not found..
Soil stiffness is estimated based on the work form Baldi (1989), see .and settlement curve are
depicted in Figure 4-5. Maximum and minimum coefficients of subgrade reaction are obtained varying
from 1.66 to 3.5 kg/cm3. A mean value of 2.5kg/cm3 is considered representative of the soil stiffness.

Figure 4-3. normalized cone resistance to the constrained modulus for granular materials with different stress
history (young, normally consolidated and over consolidated).

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 INDICAR AL MENOS LA REFERENCIA DE
DONDE SE TOMA ESTA METODOLOGÍA

Figure 4-4. CPT profiles and foundation geometry

Constrain modulus(MPa) Cumulative Settlement for UDL (mm)

0 50 100 150 200 0 5 10 15 20 25
6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

0 0

-1 -1
Elevation (m DMD)

Elevation (m DMD)

-2 -2

-3 -3

-4 -4

-5 -5

-6 -6

-7 -7

-8 -8

-9 -9

-10 -10

-11 -11

-12 -12

CPT Level

MSL Liquefaction settlement

Seabed Level

Average Tip Resistance (MPa)

Figure 4-5. Soil stiffness from CPT and foundation settlement curve with depth for the upper bound CPT.
(100kPa).

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4.2.2 Bearing capacity
Ultimate bearing pressure calculated according to 4.1.2 for a square foundation 7x7m 2 at 1.5m depth
𝛾 18
on a uniform sand layer with 𝜑 = 34° and 𝛾 = 20 is:

𝑞 = 1531𝑘𝑃𝑎

Bearing capacity Factors

fi Nq Nc Ng
0 1,00 5,14 0,00
5 1,57 6,49 0,09
10 2,47 8,34 0,47
15 3,94 10,98 1,42
20 6,40 14,83 3,54
25 10,66 20,72 8,11
Bearing capacity factors
27 13,20 23,94 11,19
30 18,40 30,14 18,08 (Brinch - Hansen)
32 23,18 35,49 24,94 Nq 29,4
34 29,44 42,16 34,53 Nc 42,2
36 37,75 50,59 48,06 Ng 34,5 qbL [kPa] 1624
38 48,93 61,35 67,41
40 64,20 75,31 95,45
42 85,37 93,71 136,75 Shape Factors Depth Factors
45 134,87 133,87 240,97 sc sq sg dc dq dg
1,58 1,56 0,60 1,05 1,05 1,00

Figure 4-6. Bearing capacity calculations, geometry, bearing factors and ultimate bearing pressure.

When a global safety factor 𝐹𝑆 =3, the limiting pressure for the reaction curves is 500kPa.
4.2.3 Soil-structure interaction model
For the structural and geotechnical verification of the foundation is proposed to assume the following
soil response. Soil is considered as a series of springs which reaction depends on the vertical
displacement, Figure 4-7.

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Figure 4-7. Soil reaction curves to be used in the SSI model.

Soil reaction
The soil reaction curves are calculated considering a square footing of 8m exerting on the soil a
uniform pressure (value was assumed as 100kPa at 1.5m depth for the analysis of settlements. To
cover all possible scenarios, upper and lower CPT profiles were assumed to define a range of
expected results consistent with the CPT measurements.

Model is schematically represented in Figure 4-7. Maximum and minimum coefficients of subgrade
reaction are obtained as the ratio between the pressure below the foundation and the corresponding
settlement. The minimum and maximum values for stiffness curves a indicated in Figure 4-4 vary
between 1.66 to 3.5 kg/cm3 (calculated as the ration between the total displacement and the pressure
applied below the foundation). For that a mean value of 2.5kg/cm3 is proposed.

Limiting pressure is suggested as padm=649kPa (for which a FS=2.5 is retrieved). In the calculation
model it is assumed a maximum area of 20% for the plastic redistribution (area that can be at the padm.

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5 Liquefaction settlements

Assessment methodology (CPT based)

Liquefaction or cyclic softening can result in volume strains occurring in the soil. In level or gently
sloping ground this results in surface settlement. The liquefaction-induced settlements are calculated
in accordance with the methodology presented in [Ref. P4]. Figure 5-1 presents the empirical curves
relating the post-liquefaction volumetric strain to the factor of safety against liquefaction and the
relative density of the liquefiable layer.

Figure 5-1: Post-liquefaction volumetric strains versus the factor of safety against triggering of liquefaction for
clean sands of different initial relative densities ([Ref. P4]).

In the figure also values for normalized SPT N-values and CPT tip resistance are presented. Hence
the post-liquefaction volumetric strain can be derived from the SPT and CPT profiles in combination
with the factor of safety against liquefaction for each ground layer, e.g. [Ref. P6] for CPT and [Ref. P5]
for the SPT. The final surface settlement is simply defined by:

𝑆 = 𝜀 ∙ 𝑑𝑧 5-1

Where:

𝑆 1-dimensional vertical ground settlement

𝑧 considered depth

𝜀 volumetric strain

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The area of the antenna was part of the Soil Improvement plan aimed to minimize liquefaction risks to
an acceptance level. The acceptance CPT as provided by PEMEX.

Liquefaction settlements
The area of the antenna was part of the Soil Improvement plan aimed to minimize liquefaction risks to
an acceptance level. The acceptance process is performed in two steps: the first verification is
performed comparing the actual CPT with the acceptance CPT (as provided by PEMEX) and in the
second, performed in case the first steps results in a non-compliant situation, the performance of the
fill during an earthquake is assess and settlement is limited to an acceptance value. Figure 5-2 show
the workflow of the assessment and verification procedure of the Ground Improvement Works by
Dynamic Compaction.

Figure 3-2 show CPT test after soil improvement actions show the actual CPT results and the
compliance CPT. 𝑞 values at the location of the antenna are well above the minimum resulting in a
𝐹𝑆 >1.5 (see 𝜀 in Figure 5-1) and for that no significant volumetric deformations are to be expected
after an earthquake.

Figure 5-2.Workflow for the verification of the Soil Improvement.

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6 Final Comments
A soil-structure interaction model is proposed for the structural and geotechnical design of the
foundation of the antenna. The following is remarked:

- Model is defined based on specific soil profile

- Result from CPT performed in nearest areas allow to validate the proposed soil profile for the
entire area of the structure.

- SSI model consider the soil response by means of springs reacting to the vertical
displacement.

- Spring reaction curves are described in section 4.2.3. A linear elastic response in compression
with a limiting pressure (accounting for the bearing capacity of the soil below the foundation
level) and no tension in tensile stress.

- The area of the antenna was part of the Soil Improvement Works by Dynamic Compaction and
for that the risk of liquefaction is deemed neglectable for the area. No further analysis is
performed as the 𝐹𝑆 >1.5 the volumetric deformations are below 0.5%.

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