Use Of Drag Embedment Anchor For Floating Wind Turbines

By Roderick Ruinen Vryhof Anchors BV

Contents Presentation
Introduction and use of anchors Anchor design Conventional drag embedment anchor - Stevpris Mk5 Vertical load anchor - Stevmanta VLA Conclusion

Anchoring options

gravity anchor

pile

suction pile

drag embedment anchor

Anchor types

Holding capacity of anchors depends on:

type of soil in sands and hard clays higher holding capacities are generated than in soft clays. type of anchor modern high holding capacity generate significantly more holding capacity than older types. In the range of 100 to 150 times the anchor weight compared to 7 to 20 times the weight for older anchor types. size of the anchor using an anchor with a larger surface area (generally also a higher weight) generates more holding capacity.

Use of drag embedment anchors

Drag embedment anchors are used on : semi-submersibles SPM buoys floating production systems (FPSOs)

Two main types of mooring

Catenary mooring generally used in shallow to deep water (<1000 m) use of chain and / or wire rope mooring lines significant length of mooring line laying on the seabed anchor is loaded in a horizontal direction conventional drag embedment anchors are typically used

Two main types of mooring

Taut leg mooring typically used in deep and ultra deep water (>1000 m) mooring line enters seabed at a significant angle, no line laying on seabed use of light weight mooring lines (synthetic rope / wire rope) anchor is loaded in horizontal and vertical direction vertical loaded anchors (VLA) can be used

Anchor design requires the following information:

soil data the type of soil will determine the type of anchor that can be used and how it will be set load data typically anchors are designed based on the calculated maximum intact and damaged design loads mooring line configuration catenary or taut leg mooring chain or wire mooring line (forerunner) classification society determines the appropriate safety factors

Required anchor holding capacity

Required holding capacity = design load times factor of safety different factors of safety for intact and damaged (one line failure) load conditions maximum value governs anchor installation load (embedment load) typically equal to 80% to 100% of the maximum intact load this corresponds to 50% to 70% of the required holding capacity

Factors of safety for drag embedment anchors

(API RP 2SK, 1996 {section 6.6.1 drag anchors}) quasi-static permanent mooring intact condition damaged condition temporary mooring intact condition 1.8 1.2 dynamic 1.5 1.0

1.0

0.8

Factors of safety for VLAs

(dynamic loads @ 45) ABS permanent mooring intact condition damaged condition 2.0 1.5 BV 2.15 1.55

Factors of safety
Higher factors of safety required for VLAs This is caused by the difference in failure mode of the anchor Drag embedment anchor is pulled horizontally through the soil and keeps resistance VLA is slowly pulled to the surface due to the vertical load component

Drag Embedment anchor - Stevpris

Stevpris Mk5 anchor

Suitable for allow types of soil conditions. Anchors have been installed in soils varying from very soft clays to dense sands and cemented soils high holding capacities possible. Anchors have been supplied with holding capacities exceeding 1500 mT limited uplift is possible in very soft clay soil conditions

Stevpris Mk5 holding capacity

typical ultimate holding capacity [t] 10000

1000

100

10 1 10 Stevpris Mk5 size [t] 100

very soft clay

medium clay

hard clay and sand

Fluke/shank angle
The correct fluke/shank angle is important for optimal anchor performance. Mud (very soft clay) : 50 Medium and hard clay : 32 Sand : 32 Intermediate or layered soil : 41

Stevpris Mk5 anchor and uplift

In soft clay soil conditions the Stevpris Mk5 anchor is capable of taking some uplift loads Tests have shown that below 20 degrees uplift the effect is marginal on anchor performance Test have been witnessed by classification societies API allows uplift, mayor classification societies on a case by case basis

Stevpris Mk5 and uplift

Stevpris Mk5 and uplift

API RP 2SK, 1996 (Appendix B, section B.6) Allowable uplift angle on Stevpris anchors: maximum intact load condition maximum damaged load condition : : 5 10

Drag-in plate anchor (VLA) - Stevmanta

Stevmanta VLA - principle

Installed with a low angle between mooring line and fluke when the required installation load is reached, anchor is triggered to the normal loading mode load arrives perpendicular to fluke giving a high pull-out resistance;

Features of the Stevmanta VLA

suited for taut leg moorings deep penetration in soft clay soil conditions installed like a conventional drag embedment anchor VLA to be set in normal mode normal mode allows for vertical loading ratio ultimate holding capacity to installation load : 2.5 to 3.5 can be easily recovered loading in all directions possible

Typical effect of changing the anchor mode

300 250

200 line load [%]

150

100

50

Change from pull-in

to normal mode

0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 line length pulled [m]

40

Stevmanta VLA installation

Two different methods: Single line installation shear pin angle adjuster calibrated shear pin triggers anchor to normal loading mode one line connected to the anchor tail used for orientation and recovery

Stevmanta VLA installation

Two different methods: Double line installation fixed angle adjuster anchor is triggered by reducing tension on the installation line and increasing tension on the mooring line two lines connected to the anchor

Stevmanta VLA typical holding capacity

1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 121 mm dia. 800 600 400 200 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Stevmanta VLA fluke area [m2] six strand and spiral strand spiral strand chain 0 76 mm dia. 100 200 300 600

Su = 4 + 1.5 d [kPa] Nc = 12
151 mm dia. 500

Ultimate Pull-out Capacity [mT]

120 mm dia. K4

Installation load [mT]

400

Conclusion
Stevpris Mk5 anchor (conventional drag embedment anchor) can be used in all types of soil conditions. In soft clays limited uplift loading is possible. Anchor is used in catenary and semi taut mooring systems in shallow to deep water. Stevmanta VLA (vertical load anchor) is suitable for use in soft clay soil conditions were deep penetration below the seabed is possible. High uplift angles are possible. Anchor is typically used in (semi) taut mooring systems. Both anchor types have successfully been used world wide for the temporary mooring of semi-submersible drilling rigs and for the permanent mooring of SPM buoys and floating production systems (FPSO / FSO / FPU)