Anchor penetration depth in sandy soils and its implications for cable burial

Abstract

Modern society is dependent on offshore cables and consequently cable faults lead to major disruption and economic loss. The most effective way to protect offshore cables from anchor damage is to bury them in the seabed, but current guidance is ambiguous. This paper attempts to produce more rational design guidance for anchor penetration in sand based on centrifuge modelling, allowing suitable burial depths for cables to be calculated based on the more useful metrics of anchor or ship size.A miniature anchor was dragged through sand of different densities within a centrifuge with maximum anchor penetration being measured. The most significant factor that influences anchor penetration depth is the size of the anchor, investigated by completing centrifuge tests at different g-levels. A linear relationship was recorded between anchor size and penetration depth which was used to develop new guidelines for cable burial. The new chart is clear and easy to use, with the cable burial depths given in relation to anchor size, anchor mass and ship mass. Use of this chart will enable the safe and economic burial of cables, and lead to a decrease in the impact of anchor damage to offshore cables.