Evaluation of Behaviors on Mooring Line Embedded in Sand Using Centrifuge Test

Abstract

When an anchor penetrates and is installed under a seabed, a portion of the mooring line connected to the anchor is also embedded under the seabed. This embedded mooring line affects the capacity of the anchor in two ways. First, the frictional resistance that occurs between the mooring line and the seabed reduces the pulling force acting on the anchor. Second, the embedded part of the mooring line forms a reverse catenary shape due to the bearing resistance of the soil, so that an inclined pulling force is applied to the anchor. To evaluate the mooring line's effect on the capacity of an anchor in sand, centrifuge model tests were performed using two relative sand densities of 76% and 51% while changing the anchor depths. The test results showed that the load is reduced much more in deep and dense sand, and the inclination angle of the load is lower in shallow and loose sand.