Offshore Geotechnical Problems in Deepwater Mooring Techniques for Large Floating Structures

Abstract

An effective, reliable and economic positioning technique is of great necessity for offshore large floating structures. Within all techniques of station keeping, mooring plays a vital role for large floating structures. Clear knowledge of the role and particularities of mooring systems is important to the design, operation and analysis of large floating structures especially in deep waters. The present work aims to discuss the mooring techniques applied to deep waters. Surveys and statistical analysis are performed to highlight the strategic importance of deepwater mooring techniques. An engineering case is introduced to demonstrate the specialities of the deepwater mooring research. Different types of anchors which are applicable to deep waters are reviewed with emphasis due to the key role of anchors in the mooring system. Offshore geotechnical problems in deepwater mooring techniques as well as research advances are summarized for the ongoing and future studies.