The Evolution of Offshore Pile Design Codes and Future Developments

This paper reviews the evolution of offshore codes, and in particular API RP2A, in relation to axial pile capacity design procedures and comments on the need for, and scope of, future changes. It also discusses progress towards a new international code. The conclusion is that the API system has shown itself responsive of industry needs and that any new system should try to emulate this. With regard to design practice, the paper concludes that this has improved significantly over the years for piles in clay, but much less so for piles in sand.