Abstract
As most existing experimental studies on plate anchors were carried out in uniform clay, a centrifuge model study is presented in this paper to investigate the pull-out behaviour of plate anchors in normally consolidated clay, which is not uncommon in offshore seabed. Horizontal and inclined anchors with different embedment depths and aspect ratios (length to width) are considered. The soil movement pattern around the plate anchor is evaluated from high-resolution photographs taken during the tests employing the Particle Image Velocimetry technique. The separation mechanism at the plate-soil interface is hence identified. The significant contribution of suction towards the ultimate pull-out capacity of a plate anchor is quantified by monitoring the soil resistance and the pore pressure beneath the anchor base under undrained condition. By comparing the pull-out responses of horizontal and inclined anchors, the effect of anchor inclination on the anchor capacity and failure mechanism is evaluated.
Highlights
Owing to ease of fabrication and emplacement, plate anchors are attractive mooring solutions in deep-water applications in both the conventional oil and gas industry and renewable energy industry, such as offshore wind turbines
It is evident that the anchor capacity factor decreases with increasing anchor inclination angle
This is because a higher inclination activates a shallower disturbance zone with lower soil strength and shorter failure slip surface, as elaborated later from particle image velocimetry (PIV) results on photographs taken during the tests
Summary
Owing to ease of fabrication and emplacement, plate anchors are attractive mooring solutions in deep-water applications in both the conventional oil and gas industry and renewable energy industry, such as offshore wind turbines. Conventional laboratory and centrifuge model studies have been conducted by various researchers [1,2,3,4] to investigate the vertical monotonic pull-out capacity of horizontal plate anchors in various types of soils. Theoretical studies employing limit equilibrium method and numerical studies [5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13] were carried out to evaluate the pull-out capacity of plate anchors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
