Simulation of torpedo anchor set-up

• Torpedo anchors are described.
• Reconsolidation (set-up) of soil next to the anchor after installation is studied.
• Finite-element analysis of coupled deformation and fluid flow in porous media.
• The set-up results are validated using available albeit limited field test data.

Torpedo anchors are used for station keeping of floating offshore platforms and fixing risers to the seabed in deep water. Their main benefit over other anchors is reduction in anchor installation cost via free falling in the water. A torpedo anchor has a steel cylindrical shaft with a conical tip and is ballasted in order to deepen the soil penetration and increase the anchor holding capacity. In order to address the installation effects on the soil strength and consequently the anchor pull-out capacity, first reconsolidation (set-up) of soil next to the anchor after installation is studied by a finite-element (FE) analysis of coupled deformation and fluid flow in porous media. The results of the set-up analysis indicate the rate of dissipation of excess pore-water pressure and soil-strength recovery. These are important considerations in predicting the anchor pull-out capacity at different times after installation. In the absence of a documented complete set of installation and set-up tests, the results are validated qualitatively using available albeit limited field test data.