Theoretical and numerical approaches to analyze gravity installed anchors in multi-layered clays

Abstract

Gravity installed anchors (GIAs) are designed to dive into deeper seabed under cable loading to seek higher capacity, typically for OMNI-Max anchors. This feature makes the anchors more likely to penetrate through different soil layers, leading to more complicated behaviors than in single-layered soil. Furthermore, the behavior of anchor lines in multi-layered soils becomes more complicated and significantly affects the anchor behaviors. All of these bring challenges to the trajectory prediction of GIAs in the multi-layered seabed. The present work introduces theoretical and numerical approaches to predict the comprehensive behaviors of GIAs by dealing with the coupled effect of anchor lines in multi-layered clays. The theoretical and numerical models are verified by comparing with the published data of centrifuge tests and numerical simulations. The comparative study indicates that both the models have the ability to explore the effects of different factors, such as the embedment depth, the soil strength, the thickness of layers and the distribution of multi-layered soil. The complexity and variety of anchor behaviors in multi-layered clays are revealed by typical application cases, further confirming the ability and potential of the developed models.