ABSTRACT
As shown in Figure 1, a suction foundation is installed by penetration of a bottom-open cylindrical caisson into the seabed by means of suction force. The penetration enhances the horizontal resistance of the foundation, due to the passive earth pressure. In the case where soft soil layers are present, the foundation can obtain sufficient bearing capacity, without any soil improvement, by penetration into the stiff soil layer. The foundation is anticipated to be applied to marine structures such as breakwaters and quay walls, or to situations where a soft layer overlies a stiff layer.
