Uplift Behavior of Suction Bucket Foundations in Sands: Experimental and Numerical Investigations

Suction bucket foundations offer efficient installation and reusability for offshore wind turbines, yet their uplift behavior in sands with different permeabilities remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the uplift behavior of suction bucket foundations in sands with varying permeabilities. Uplift capacity increases by up to 102% as permeability decreases from 7 × 10−2 to 7 × 10−3 cm/s, with a diminishing rate of improvement beyond k ≈ 10−4 cm/s. A recommended uplift rate range of 10−5–10−4 m/s was found to optimize performance, minimizing hydraulic demand and seabed disturbance. The study highlights the critical role of passive suction in enhancing uplift capacity under partially drained conditions and provides key insights for offshore foundation design.