Embedded Suction Anchors for Mooring of a Floating Breakwater

Abstract

A floating breakwater was built in Southern Korea. Four separate floating breakwater units were moored to ten deeply buried embedded suction anchors. The embedded suction anchor is a type of permanent offshore foundation installed by a suction pile. The cross section of the embedded suction anchor is circular, with its diameter being equal to that of the suction pile that is used to drive it into the seafloor. Vertical flanges are typically added along the circumference to increase its resistance. Determination of the loading capacity and the dimensions of embedded suction anchors are described. Details of the construction and installation of embedded suction anchors, as well as the field proof test results are also discussed. A total of ten steel embedded suction anchors were manufactured and installed successfully. Installation of embedded suction anchors was accomplished with a suction pile attached to its top. Subsequent proof tests validated the design loading capacity of embedded suction anchors. A floating breakwater consisted of four separate units was constructed. Initially, embedded deadweight concrete blocks were considered to moor the floating breakwater units. Later, however, embedded suction anchors replaced the concrete block anchors due to numerous environmental constraints. Each floating unit was anchored with four embedded suction anchors. Field proof tests indicate that the embedded suction anchors can provide necessary resistance against the anticipated wind and wave forces.