Centrifuge modelling of a combined pile-type anchor subjected to general inclined loading

Abstract

One of the main challenges associated with anchoring offshore platforms is the logistic needed to install them in deep water. The growing need for high capacity anchors has prompted the development of new systems where the feasibility of transporting them out to sea is a crucial consideration. With respect to torpedo piles used by Petrobras in Brazil, new platforms installed in deep water required robust anchoring systems, and a cluster of small torpedoes was considered instead of one large torpedo. However, torpedo pile installation is hindered by deep water streams, which can deviate their trajectory during the fall. This is of great concern for the design of torpedo pile clusters because the distance between the piles cannot be controlled during installation. The present study aims to determine the variation in the load capacity of a cluster or array of single piles as a function of the distance between the piles and the load direction after installation on the seabed. To that end, a series of centrifuge tests were carried out on pile clusters installed in loose sand, varying the distance between the piles and the loading direction. The results show considerable interactions between the adjacent piles depending on the load direction and pile spacing. The optimal spacing for maximum cluster efficiency was determined, and comparisons were made with values from the literature for capped pile clusters.