Sinking Failure of Drag Embedment Anchors Due to Wave-Induced Seabed Liquefaction

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an integrated mathematical modeling exercise for sinking of Drag Embedment Anchors (DEA) in a seabed liquefied by waves. The mathematical model consists of three elements (sub-models): (1) Mathematical model for residual liquefaction under waves; (2) Mathematical model for sinking of DEAs in the liquefied soil; and (3) Mathematical model for upward progression of compaction front in the post-liquefaction stage. The study demonstrates the implementation of the model with reference to a selected group of real-life DEAs. The results generally show that the ultimate sinking depths of DEAs are rather large (tens of centimeters short of the liquefaction depth), and accordingly, the ultimate sinking times of DEAs are rather small (O(10[Formula: see text]min)) as a result of the massive weights of these anchors. The paper presents a parametric study carried out in a systematic way to understand the influence of parameters such as the relative density of soil, the soil depth, and the grain size on the end results.