A novel kinematic model for drag anchors in seabed soils

Abstract

The penetration behavior and trajectory of drag anchors in seabed soils is not only a complicated engineering problem, but also an interesting topic with lots of scientific meanings. Nearly all the previous methods that are capable of predicting the trajectory of drag anchors need a numerical incremental computation. Based on a kinematic model and mathematical derivations, a theoretical framework for predicting the trajectory of drag anchors is established. The concepts put forward and described in detail in the paper are not only necessary for the theoretical framework but also meaningful to further understanding of the engineering problem due to clear physical background. A comparative study has proved the effectiveness and veracity of the kinematic model and theoretical framework for predicting the trajectory. The proposed model and developed drag equations, which combine the anchor, the drag line and the anchor handling vessel being an interactional system, may provide a new angle of view to understand the anchor behaviors in soils, and be valuable for deterministic and theoretical analysis of drag anchors.