ABSTRACT
Skirted foundations are increasingly favored in offshore applications for their cost-effectiveness and easy installation. Among them, skirted ring foundations—based on shallow ring footings—offer high bearing capacity with reduced material use, cutting both costs and carbon footprint. Their geometry enhances load transfer and promotes sustainability. This study uses a pseudo-static limit equilibrium method to assess static and seismic lateral resistance in a layered sand-over-clay profile. Additionally, 3D finite element analysis in ABAQUS examines the impact of skirt depth (L) and seismic acceleration (kh & kv) on performance. Findings reveal that deeper skirts enhance lateral resistance, while higher seismic accelerations decrease effectiveness. The results are compared with existing static and pseudo-static approaches, highlighting key assumptions in each.
