Physical and theoretical modelling of embedded mooring line-seabed interaction in sands
Physical and theoretical modelling of embedded mooring line-seabed interaction in sands
The most common mooring configuration for floating facilities is a catenary system. The final section of the mooring line is embedded in the seabed and forms an inverse catenary between the seafloor and anchor padeye. The inverse catenary absorbs part of the mooring load through friction and influences the magnitude and inclination of the load transferred to the anchor. This study sets out an improved model for embedded mooring line - seabed interaction in sand, based on model scale experiments conducted in a geotechnical centrifuge. The experiments reveal the influence of embedded line dimensions and sand density on the inverse catenary shape and resistance. This information is used to calibrate and refine the improved theoretical model that uses cone penetration test tip resistance as the input, to estimate the embedded line shape and tensioning response. The value of the new model is illustrated by a case study that highlights the influence of mooring line-seabed interaction on anchor capacity, due to the strong influence of the embedded line dimensions on the inverse catenary shape. Careful selection of the anchor and embedded line combination allows the anchor loading direction to be optimised, and the embedded mooring line - anchor system capacity increased for a given anchor size, allowing improved reliability.
centrifuge modelling, foundations, geotechnical engineering, mooring lines and chains, offshore engineering, soil/structure interaction
Kwa, Katherine
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O'Loughlin, Conleth
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White, David
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O'Beirne, Colm
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Frankenmolen, Sebastiaan
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Kwa, Katherine
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O'Loughlin, Conleth
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White, David
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O'Beirne, Colm
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Frankenmolen, Sebastiaan
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Kwa, Katherine, O'Loughlin, Conleth, White, David, O'Beirne, Colm and Frankenmolen, Sebastiaan
(2025)
Physical and theoretical modelling of embedded mooring line-seabed interaction in sands.
Geotechnique.
(doi:10.1680/jgeot.24.01025).
Abstract
The most common mooring configuration for floating facilities is a catenary system. The final section of the mooring line is embedded in the seabed and forms an inverse catenary between the seafloor and anchor padeye. The inverse catenary absorbs part of the mooring load through friction and influences the magnitude and inclination of the load transferred to the anchor. This study sets out an improved model for embedded mooring line - seabed interaction in sand, based on model scale experiments conducted in a geotechnical centrifuge. The experiments reveal the influence of embedded line dimensions and sand density on the inverse catenary shape and resistance. This information is used to calibrate and refine the improved theoretical model that uses cone penetration test tip resistance as the input, to estimate the embedded line shape and tensioning response. The value of the new model is illustrated by a case study that highlights the influence of mooring line-seabed interaction on anchor capacity, due to the strong influence of the embedded line dimensions on the inverse catenary shape. Careful selection of the anchor and embedded line combination allows the anchor loading direction to be optimised, and the embedded mooring line - anchor system capacity increased for a given anchor size, allowing improved reliability.
Text
Manuscript_Kwa_Oloughlin_White_Obeirne_Frankenmolen_revised_round2
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 5 December 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 30 January 2025
Keywords:
centrifuge modelling, foundations, geotechnical engineering, mooring lines and chains, offshore engineering, soil/structure interaction
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 499051
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/499051
ISSN: 0016-8505
PURE UUID: 56fded09-aec8-4303-b108-10a22339212a
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Date deposited: 07 Mar 2025 17:41
Last modified: 25 May 2025 05:12
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Contributors
Author:
Conleth O'Loughlin
Author:
Colm O'Beirne
Author:
Sebastiaan Frankenmolen
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