Physical modelling of a novel groutless rock anchoring system for floating offshore renewable applications
Physical modelling of a novel groutless rock anchoring system for floating offshore renewable applications
This paper presents small-scale physical modelling of a novel groutless rock anchor system for offshore renewable energy applications installed in soft calcarenite rock and, subject to cyclic loading. The rock anchor is characterised by a self-drilling installation process and the mobilisation of resistance through mechanical interlocking with the surrounding rock via an expandable bottom finger. This mechanical interlock is activated by the application of pretension, which is induced by applying torque at the top end of the anchor. In the present physical modelling regime, the anchor was modelled by a combination of a Hilti HDA-P M10 and a bespoke top taper designed to include a pad eye and to accommodate an axial load cell to measure the pretension. At lower cyclic loading amplitudes, pretension loss was limited, loading stiffness remained stable, and displacement accumulation was minimal and stabilised with cycle number. In contrast, higher cyclic loading amplitudes resulted in substantial pretension loss, progressive stiffness degradation, and significant displacement accumulation.
Wei Wang; Matteo Oryem Ciantia; Alessio Genco; Pengpeng He; Craig Davidson
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Session 6: Onshore and offshore foundation systems
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-130