Experimental Investigation of a Novel Single-Shank Drag Anchor Design

Drag embedment anchor (DEA) constitutes a compelling anchoring solution for an array of floating structures, attributable to its exceptional efficiency in holding capacity and the comparatively modest expenditures incurred in manufacturing and installation. The holding capacity of DEAs is, to a large extent, dictated by the penetration depth achieved during installation. In hard soils, such as dense sand and stiff clay, the penetration depth of DEAs is often limited due to the large soil resistance acting on the shank structure, which in turn limits its holding capacity. In this paper, a novel anchor design with a single flat shank is proposed, which can greatly reduce the soil resistance on the shank during installation, in the hope of improving the penetration depth and consequently the holding capacity of DEAs. To verify this design assumption, a comprehensive suite of large deformation numerical simulations is carried out in both clayey and sandy soils. In addition, a series of physical model tests are performed in uniform sand. The results from both the numerical simulations and the model tests confirm the superior penetrability and holding capacity of the proposed single-shank anchor design.