Pullout Capacity of Horizontally Loaded Suction Anchor Installed in Silty Sand

Current floating structures require more reliable and higher anchoring capacities because of their increased size. A suction anchor is one of the most popular anchors for a floating system. In this study, the behavior of a suction anchor installed in cohesionless soil was investigated when the anchor was subjected to mainly a horizontal load. Three-dimensional finite element numerical analyses were carried out using ABAQUS, and three centrifuge tests were performed to calibrate the numerical analyses. A parametric study with different dimensions and loading points for the suction anchor was conducted. The horizontal capacity of the suction anchor was estimated, and the soil reaction distribution was analyzed when the load was applied at the optimal point. Based on the results, an analytical equation for calculating the horizontal capacity of a suction anchor was proposed that can be easily adopted for design.     

新型伞状锚拉拔破坏机制与承载力数值分析

锚泊基础的承载性能直接影响着海洋浮式结构物的稳定性,因而研究新型有效的锚泊基础已成为海洋工程结构设计中的关键问题之一。文中提出了一种基于海洋软土液化特性的伞状锚,充分利用桩端土体增强抗拔承载能力。应用二维颗粒流分析程序,对该新型伞状锚的安装、抗拔承载能力进行了数值模拟,并与普通锚桩进行比较分析,验证其有效性。针对伞状锚与普通锚桩在拉拔过程中的土体破坏机制,从细观角度分析了其抗拔承载能力的提高机制。研究结果表明,对于相同抗拔锚泊设计竖向承载要求,伞状锚所需材料可大为减少,安装难度明显减低,是值得推广应用的新型锚泊基础形式。     

Effect of Failure Mode of Taut Mooring System on the Dynamic Response of A Semi-Submersible Platform

Mooring system failure can lead to largely different dynamic response of floating structures when compared to the response under the condition of intact mooring system. For a semi-submersible platform with taut mooring system under extreme environmental conditions, the typical mooring system failure includes anchor line breaking failure due to the broken anchor line, and the anchor dragging failure caused by the anchor failure in the seabed soil due to the shortage of the anchor bearing capacity. However, study on the mooring failure caused by anchor failure is rare. The current work investigates the effect of three failure modes of taut mooring system on dynamic response of a semi-submersible platform, including one line breaking failure, two lines breaking failure, and one line breaking with one line attached anchor dragging failure. The nonlinear polynomial mooring line model in AQWA was used with integrating the load and displacement curve from the anchor pulling study to characterize the anchor dragging behavior for mooring system failure caused by the anchor failure. The offsets of the platform and the tension of mooring lines were analyzed for mooring system failure with 100-year return period. It is found that the mooring failure of one line breaking with one line attached anchor dragging is a case between the other two mooring failures. The traditional mooring analysis considering only the damaged condition with one line breaking is not safe enough. And the simple way of mooring analysis of two lines breaking is too conservative for the costly offshore engineering.

     

Toward a quick evaluation of the performance of gravity installed anchors in clay: Penetration and keying

Gravity installed anchors (GIAs) are the most recent generation of anchoring solutions to moor floating facilities for deepwater oil and gas developments. Challenges associated with GIAs include predicting the initial embedment depth and evaluating the keying performance of the anchor. The former involves high soil strain rate due to large anchor penetration velocity, while the later influences the subsequent behavior and pullout capacity of the anchor. With the coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian method, three-dimensional large deformation finite element models are established to investigate the penetration and keying of GIAs in non-homogeneous clay. In the penetration model, a modified Tresca soil model is adopted to allow the effects of soil strain rate and strain softening, and user-defined hydrodynamic drag force and frictional resistance are introduced via concentrated forces. In the keying model, the anchor line effects are incorporated through a chain equation, and the keying, diving and pulling out behaviors of the anchor can all be replicated. Parametric studies are undertaken at first to quantify the effects of various factors on the performance of GIAs, especially on the penetration and keying behaviors. Based on the results of parametric studies, fitted formulae are proposed to give a quick evaluation of the anchor embedment depth after the installation, and the shackle horizontal displacement, shackle embedment loss and anchor inclination at the end of the keying. Comparative studies are also performed to verify the effectiveness of the fitted formulae.     

组合动力锚水动力特性数值模拟研究

作为海上浮式结构物的一种新型锚固基础,动力锚具有自安装、不受水深影响、适用范围广的特点。在动力锚的基础上研发的组合动力锚结合了动力锚自安装和板锚法向受荷的特点,具有安装快速、适用多种类型海床、承载效率高等性质。组合动力锚在水中自由下落时的水动力学特性（下落速度、方向稳定性等）会受到锚链、尾翼宽度和助推器质量等因素影响。若下落速度过小或方向稳定性过差,则会影响锚的安装成功率。采用计算流体动力学方法模拟流体对锚的冲击和锚在水中自由下落过程,以优化组合动力锚的尾翼尺寸;其次研究锚链作用力和助推器质量对组合动力锚下落速度和偏角的影响规律。计算结果表明：组合动力锚的拖曳阻力系数为0.45左右,尾翼宽度最优尺寸为翼板宽度的1.25倍。连接在锚眼处的锚链会减小组合动力锚的下落速度并加剧锚的偏转,需综合锚的下落速度和偏角来确定锚在水中下落高度。     

A modified method to estimate chain inverse catenary profile in clay based on chain equation and chain yield envelope

Offshore floating facilities are fixed by anchoring systems embedded in seabed soils through chains or ropes. The chain inverse catenary profile embedded in soils influences both the anchor failure mechanism and the anchor holding capacity. The chain mobilizes varying soil normal and tangential resistances during motion, hence it is with difficulty to depict the chain profile. The present work proposed a modified method to estimate the chain inverse catenary profile with high accuracy based on the chain equations and the chain yield envelope. A testing arrangement with three load cells and two MEMS (Micro-electromechanical systems) accelerometers included was designed in model tests. By model tests, the loading combinations of the soil tangential and normal resistances on the chain were obtained and the yield envelopes for both chain and rope were determined. In addition, supplemental model tests were performed to validate the modified method proposed in this study, and the testing results indicated that the estimated chain inverse catenary profile was in good agreement with the actual one. Moreover, the testing arrangement is beneficial in investigating the chain-soil-anchor interaction.     

法向承力锚拖曳安装过程的整体模拟

法向承力锚(Vertically Loaded Plate Anchor,VLA)是一种适用于深水的新型系泊基础,它的拖曳安装过程直接决定了其系泊定位的精度和锚体的最终承载能力。综合考虑VLA锚体、锚泊线和上部船体的运动,建立了一种新的准静力整体分析模型。模型包括不断贯入海床的锚体、锚泊线(土中反悬链段和水中悬链段)和安装船体三部分,针对确定的锚泊线长度,安装船运动张紧锚泊线进行安装的过程,计算了此过程中锚体的运动轨迹、锚泊线形态和作用在船体上的锚泊线张力矢量的变化,重点分析了不同抛链长度和海床土体的参数对安装过程控制的影响,发现链长与水深之比达到5时,接近极限贯入深度。     

Anchor loads in taut moorings: The impact of inverse catenary shakedown

Taut mooring systems have become prospective alternatives for the station keeping of offshore floating facilities in deep water. The associated embedded anchors cause a part of the mooring line to be buried in the seabed − the inverse catenary − which introduces a requirement to predict the load and uplift angle at the padeye, where the chain is connected to the anchor. The padeye load and angle depend on the shape and tension profile of the inverse catenary, which must be assessed in the mooring system design. The dynamic interaction between the embedded chain and the soil in the inverse catenary is not usually considered in this analysis. Instead, the inverse catenary is assessed statically, albeit potentially using cyclically-degraded soil strength parameters. The present study employs the lumped mass method to simulate the dynamic response of mooring lines under different imposed oscillations at the fairlead, where the chain is connected to the floating facility. A new chain-soil interaction model, which includes hysteresis effects associated with irrecoverable relative chain-soil displacement is calibrated by experimental results. Simulations of cyclic vessel motion are then performed, and the resulting chain-seabed interaction is observed. During constant-amplitude vessel motion cycles, the load angle at the padeye significantly decreases due to progressive ratcheting or ‘shakedown’ of the inverse catenary from the initial static profile towards a straighter profile. This effect is due to the hysteretic soil response and creates a less onerous loading condition for the anchor which may be beneficial, but is conventionally overlooked in design. At the end of the present study, an elastic bound method is proposed to estimate the profile of the inverse catenary after shakedown. A parametric study illustrates the performance of this simple method for predicting the steady state condition.     

Numerical investigations of the effect of strain softening on the behaviour of embedded mooring chains

Mooring systems typically consist of an anchor and a mooring line and chain that connect the anchor to the floating infrastructure. When the anchor connection point (the ‘padeye’) is below the seabed surface, the interaction between the chain and the seabed will affect the amount of load transferred to the anchor and the load angle at the padeye. Reliable methods are needed therefore to assess these aspects in order to determine appropriate anchor design.Available solutions for the interaction between soil and chain generally ignore any reduction in the undrained shear strength of the soil as it is remoulded under the large strains associated with tensioning of the anchor chain. This is an unconservative assumption for anchor design, hence providing motivation for the study presented here. The system behaviour and the interaction of short chain segments with the seabed have been studied using a coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) approach. The findings have led to two new design approaches that encapsulate how remoulding of the soil (which affects sliding resistance more than bearing resistance) affects the chain system response. Calculations using these methods captured the modelled chain system response well. Both the global chain analyses and the proposed design approaches suggest that approximately the entire chain load at the seabed surface (the ‘mudline’) is likely to be transferred to the anchor padeye, challenging conventional design practice.     

Spatial analysis of recreational boating as a first key step for marine spatial planning in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain)

Recreational boating is an important, growing leisure activity on the island of Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain. This spatial analysis of anchoring of recreational boating along the coast of Mallorca is intended to generate new data to contribute to the achievement of a comprehensive marine and coastal spatial planning on the island in addition to providing important information related to the pressure of increasing demand for anchoring space that, if not properly managed, could jeopardize the coastal and marine environments. The study combines data from the natural (habitats, geology), physical (wave patterns), and social sciences (survey interviews), using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as the main analytical tool. The final result is an estimate of the average amount of seabed available for anchoring during the highest levels of boating activity in Mallorca (i.e. summer high season) based on a number of different sustainability scenarios (i.e. average distance between boats, weather conditions). In addition to being applicable to any location wishing to manage recreational boating activity, the methodology presented in this study represents an integrated, multidisciplinary approach which could be applied to a number of management scenarios with a spatial dimension in marine environments.     

Analytical study on comprehensive behaviors of drag anchors in the seabed

Attributed to good performance in the seabed, drag anchors are adopted as an effective anchoring solution in deepwater mooring systems. This type of anchors is drag installed, companying with comprehensive behaviors during movement of the anchor in the seabed, which make the anchor trajectory and therefore the final embedment position difficult to be predicted. On the basis of the mechanical model and analytical procedure, an analytical method is proposed for exploring comprehensive behaviors of drag anchors in both clay and sand. The anchor behaviors are classified as keying, pulling out and diving. The bearing capacity and the trajectory of the anchor can be predicted through the combination of the three behaviors. By comparing analytical predictions with experimental data and other predictions, the efficiency and veracity of the theoretical model are validated. A parametric study is also performed to investigate the effects of different parameters, and to further understand the comprehensive anchor behaviors in the seabed. The present work provides an efficient theoretical tool for analyzing comprehensive behaviors of drag anchors in either clayey or sandy seabed.     

Numerical implementation of the installation/mooring line and application to analyzing comprehensive anchor behaviors

With the application of innovative anchor concepts and advanced technologies in deepwater moorings, anchor behaviors in the seabed are becoming more complicated and pose a great challenge to the analytical methods. In the present work, a large deformation finite element (FE) analysis employing the coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian technique is performed to simulate the installation/mooring line, and then is applied to analyzing comprehensive anchor behaviors in the seabed. By connecting cylindrical units with each other using connector elements, the installation/mooring line is constructed. With the constructed installation/mooring line, FE simulations are carried out to investigate comprehensive anchor behaviors in the seabed, including long-distance penetration of drag anchors, keying of suction embedded plate anchors and non-catastrophic behavior of gravity-installed anchors. Through comparative studies, the accuracy of the proposed method is well examined. A parametric study is also undertaken to quantify the effects of the frictional coefficient, initial embedment depth, and soil weight on the profile of the embedded anchor line and the shackle load. The present work demonstrates that the proposed FE model, which incorporates the installation/mooring line and the anchor, is effective in analyzing the comprehensive anchor behaviors in the seabed.     

安装误差对半潜漂浮式风机悬链线系泊系统性能的影响

由于浅水深条件下悬链线系泊系统的性能对系泊缆长度和几何形状更为敏感,悬链线系泊系统的安装误差对其性能的影响较深水条件下的更为显著。因此首先对适用于半潜漂浮式风机的悬链线系泊系统施工进行研究,分别确定了锚安装位置误差、系泊缆预铺误差和系泊缆与漂浮式基础回接误差的来源,并根据施工条件给出了误差值。之后,以浮体动力学仿真作为手段,对系泊缆系统施工误差对其性能的影响进行基于时域仿真的量化研究。研究表明,锚安装位置误差对系泊系统性能影响不大,但系泊缆预铺和回接的误差对系泊系统性能的影响较大。系泊缆回接的误差可造成系泊缆张力平均值和标准差与设计值偏差近20%,可能对系泊系统疲劳寿命评估产生较大的影响。与系泊缆回接误差相比,系泊缆预铺误差的产生原因更为复杂,由于系泊缆预铺误差往往导致系泊缆长度增长,存在误差的系泊缆张力的各项统计值总体偏小,但可能会造成同组无误差系泊缆的张力过载。     

南港冰期海上漂浮式光伏技术试验研究

海上漂浮式光伏在北方冬季面临被海冰破坏的危险,冰期海洋环境对漂浮式光伏的影响尚处于研究初级阶段,因此非常有必要开展相关研究。为了有效防冰与抗冰,本文从水动力、波浪冲击性、支架稳定性、海水腐蚀、锚固方式等方面入手,首先对光伏方阵总环境载荷进行计算与仿真,然后对集装箱式漂浮防波堤、浮体方阵结构、支架、配件材料及锚固系统等进行优化设计,最后在潮汐变化显著的天津南港近海水域进行了冰期试验。试验数据与结果表明：浮式防波堤能有效阻挡围堰外海冰,消浪效果达到设计要求;塑料螺栓不仅可以有效避免因潮汐产生的浮体松动,而且能抵抗来自高盐高雾环境的腐蚀;设计的锚固系统能有效固定光伏方阵,使其漂移在可控范围内。该试验研究成果为优化北方冰期海上光伏技术方案提供了试验依据与理论支持。     

Reverse catenary equation of the embedded installation line and application to the kinematic model for drag anchors

The penetration behavior and trajectory of the drag anchor in seabed soils are not only determined by properties of the anchor and soil, but also controlled by the installation line especially the segment embedded in the soil. Correctly understanding and describing reverse catenary properties of the embedded line are crucial for improving the drag embedment performance, precisely predicting the anchor trajectory, and solving the positioning problem in offshore applications. The investigation on reverse catenary problems demonstrates that, the reverse catenary shape of the embedded line has to be solved almost through numerical incremental methods. In the present study, based on the mechanical model for the embedded line, the relationship between the tension and geometry of the embedded line, and the interactional equation between the anchor and embedded line are derived. By introducing the concept of the initial embedment depth of the installation line, the reverse catenary equation and the expression for calculating the length of the embedded line are obtained for soils with a linear strength, and the position of the embedment point can be reasonably solved through the derived reverse catenary equation. The reverse catenary equation is then introduced into the kinematic model for drag anchors, which combines the drag anchor, the installation line and the movement of the anchor handling vessel being an interactional system. More information related to the drag embedment problem can be definitely gained through the present work, including not only the anchor behaviors such as the trajectory, penetration direction and ultimate embedment depth, but also the properties of the installation line for both the embedded and horizontal segments. By comparing with drum centrifuge tests and model flume experiments, the efficiency of the theoretical method for predicting the anchor trajectory is well verified.     

霍尔锚在粉细砂中抛锚深度模型试验

航船应急抛锚时锚板贯入土体可能会影响河床或海床中的结构物甚者造成破坏,因此在通航频繁的航道,结构物埋深的设计需要充分考虑应急抛锚时锚板的贯入深度。本文通过缩尺模型试验模拟了霍尔锚在中等密实度粉细砂中的抛锚贯入过程,研究了不同抛锚速度(1.15～4.4 m/s)及粉细砂相对密实度(0.45～0.65)对抛锚贯入深度的影响;基于太沙基极限承载力理论和能量守恒定律,推导出霍尔锚在粉细砂土中贯入深度的表达式,与模型试验结果对比显示理论计算结果偏于保守。基于试验结果提出修正系数,修正后的理论公式能够较好地快速预测霍尔锚在中等密实度粉细砂中的贯入深度。研究结果为粉细砂土河床或海床中的结构物埋深设计提供了一定的技术参考。     

Cyclic pullout behavior of helical anchors for offshore floating structures under inclined loading condition

Helical anchors are an effective option to support offshore floating structures with mooring and anchoring systems, where wave and tidal forces are the predominant load components leading to cyclic and inclined loading conditions. In this study, the cyclic and inclined pullout load carrying behavior of helical anchors was investigated. Large-deformation finite element (FE) analysis using the coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (CEL) method was performed to simulate the cyclic pullout load response of helical anchors. Various configuration conditions of the helical anchor and loading direction, including the number and diameter of helical plate, plate arrangement and load inclination angle (θ), were considered in the analysis. Induced displacements were most significant during the first loading cycle, whereas those for subsequent loading cycles were relatively small. The geometry condition of the helical anchor less affected the pullout load carrying behavior as θ increased. The horizontal displacements (δ_h) were larger than the vertical displacements (δ_v) when θ was larger than 30°. When θ was smaller than 30°, δ_v was more dominant component. It was found that the configuration with top-down increasing diameter was more effective to enhance the pullout load carrying behavior than the conventional bottom-up increasing diameter configuration.     

Quasi-static three-dimensional analysis of suction anchor mooring system

The suction anchor has been widely used in taut or semi-taut mooring systems as an effective and economical solution to anchoring problems. To ensure high reliability, the profile of the mooring cable connecting the fairlead and the pad-eye must be accurately designed. However, previous studies have rarely considered the effect of cable slippage in soil on the mooring behavior, or embedded cables have been studied with an assumed tension at the seabed. This paper, by treating the cable suspended in water and the cable embedded in soil as a single cable, presents a two-dimensional (2D) static model and a three-dimensional (3D) quasi-static model for the cable during pretensioning and in service, respectively. The two models take into account the comprehensive effects of ocean currents, soil resistance and cable elasticity, all of which are critical for the design of a mooring system. Three examples are analyzed using the models and some useful conclusions are drawn.     

Anchoring to determine negotiated catch limits: a case study of an industrial fishery in Oman

Despite refinement in scientific methods of setting total allowable catches (TACs), the choice of values is affected by uncertainty that arises as a result of incomplete information and the behavioural intentions of resource users, among others. In this context, this paper promotes ‘anchoring’ – which is a subject of behavioural economics and is generally practised in decision-making when faced with uncertainty – as an approach to TAC setting. We estimate a set of anchor points for nine demersal species by employing two modelling scenarios, the first using catch-and-effort data and the second only catch data collected from the demersal trawl fishery. A non-parametric test yielded no significant difference between the sets of anchor points generated from the two models. It is hoped that the use of anchoring would constitute a proactive management approach that could serve as a mechanism of promoting knowledge integration and effective communication, developing mutual trust, and improving management outcomes in the future.