Patent ID: 8668408
Filing Date: 2014-03-11
Classification: E02B

Abstract:
1. A skirted foundation comprising: a spudcan footing having an upper part and a base, wherein the upper part and the base are coupled at their peripherals to form an outer edge, wherein both the upper part and the base have a flat or conical configuration, and wherein the upper part supports one leg of a jack-up rig, and the base has a flat bottom or a downward slope; and a skirt having an upper end being integrally coupled to the spudcan footing and downwardly projected to encircle the base and a lower end for penetrating seabed, wherein the skirt comprises a plurality of circumferential openings adjacent to the base of the spudcan footing and located within the top half of the skirt height, and wherein the openings are configured to allow soil to flow out of the interior space defined by the skirt and the base as the foundation descends into the seabed.