Analytical study of the failure mode and pullout capacity of suction anchors in clay

Abstract

Suction anchors are widely adopted in mooring systems. However there are still challenges in predicting the failure mode and ultimate pullout capacity of the anchor. Previously published methods for predicting the inclined pullout capacity of suction anchors are mainly based on experimental data or the FEM analysis. In the present work, an analytical method that is capable of predicting the failure mode and ultimate pullout capacity of the suction anchor in clay under inclined loading is developed. This method is based on a rational mechanical model for suction anchors and the knowledge of the mechanism that the anchor fails in seabed soils. In order to examine the analytical model, the failure angle and pullout capacity of suction anchors from FEM simulation, numerical solution and laboratory tests in uniform and linear cohesive soils are employed to compare with the theoretical predictions and the agreement is satisfactory. An analytical method that can evaluate the optimal position of the attachment point is also proposed in the present study. The present work proves that the failure mode and pullout capacity of suction anchors can be reasonably determined by the developed analytical method.