Centrifuge modelling of cyclic loading on suction anchors in soft clay
Centrifuge modelling of cyclic loading on suction anchors in soft clay
ABSTRACT: In the context of developing solutions for the installation of offshore wind farms, floating wind turbines present an attractive option to harness strong and stable wind conditions. However, these solutions encounter several challenges, including high mooring and anchoring costs. Anchor sharing is a cost-optimization strategy for potential wind farms based on floating platforms, as it reduces the number of anchors needed, installation time, and pressure on the supply chain. While recent research has focused on sandy soil profiles, ShareWind project investigates the loading capacity of suction anchors in soft clay seabed subjected to multidirectional loading. This paper presents a series of monotonic and cyclic unidirectional anchor loading tests, conducted at the geotechnical centrifuge of Université Gustave Eiffel. The tests involved loading three suction anchors installed in kaolin clay: two anchors subjected to lateral cyclic load and one to monotonic load, as baseline for loading capacity. Building on the insights from these tests, the paper outlines the response of the anchors under monotonic and cyclic load and the challenges encountered in the experimental campaign.
Cristian SORIANO-CAMELO; Luc Thorel; Matthieu Blanc; P. Audrain
5th International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics (ISFOG2025)
11 - Suction installed foundations and anchors
https://doi.org/10.53243/ISFOG2025-424
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