Deadweight Anchoring Behavior For Aquaculture Longline
Deadweight Anchoring Behavior For Aquaculture Longline
Deadweight Anchoring Behavior For Aquaculture Longline
Research Article
ABSTRACT. The similarity theory was used to study the behavior of five anchoring and one "rezon" type
deadweight designs, using scale models. The surface sediments extracted from Charagato Bay, Cubagua Island,
were characterized to evaluate the efficiency of these models on these substrates. A test structure consisting of
a tank with a mixture of sediment and seawater, and a metal trestle was used. Tension variables were considered,
using a 6 mm PE end section. Weights were added at one of its ends which represented the longline system's
resistance force and at the other the model's force in the eyebolt (Tc) representing the gripping force due to the
interaction of the anchoring design with the substrate, and the static rupture tension (Tr) upon the weight (Pm)
of each model, against different anchoring attack angles (), aspect ratios (AR) 1/2.5; 1/3.0; 1/3.5, and 1/4.0;
sail attack angles () of 0, 10, and 20°, and the efficiency index (EI) of each model. The Kruskal-Wallis contrast
was used to detect the possible differences against different anchoring attack angles, and, to locate the
differences between them; box and mustache graphs were used. The most effective model on very fine sand-
type sediment was the pyramidal with the claw-like frame, followed by the pyramidal with the shovel-like frame
and the "rezon" type traditionally used on Margarita Island.
Keywords: deadweight anchors; longline; scale models; theory of similarity; aquaculture
__________________
Corresponding editor: Cesar Lodeiros
Deadweight anchoring behavior for aquaculture 687
There are no particular methods for sizing and It is necessary to emphasize that the loss of the
selecting deadweight anchors for culture longlines longline system structure's characteristic shape is due
(Martínez & Carroza, 1992). Therefore, we use to the decrease in the tension to which it is subjected.
experiences obtained in operations with other produc- This alteration causes severe disruptions. Because the
tion systems; many authors have worked in this line of mother line, being more flexible, is at the mercy of the
research analyzing the methodologies that best suit the currents and collapses, presenting a more condensed
requirements of their projects. Among these authors is area, which increases the anchorage's shifts (deflection
Berteaux (1976), who used the physical and or sail effect), with the consequent loss of the bottom
engineering concepts and the different types and and slope concerning the original site selected for its
elements used in anchoring. He described the installation. This situation causes a constant movement
characteristics of deadweight type systems, embedment of the cultivation units and, consequently, the agitation
anchors, and special anchors. and accumulation of the reared organisms, producing
Likewise, Yokota (1980) structured a method for the wrong use of the available cultivation area. These
the dimensioning of rafts anchoring destined movements bring an increase in the reared organisms'
for mytiliculture. It consisted of eliminating the stress levels, due to the agitation that these suffer,
deadweight type anchor friction coefficient creating a increasing the possibilities of mortality in the cultiva-
vacuum to the base exposed to the muddy substrate tion process (Carroza, 1990; Barrientos, 2000).
producing a suction effect, which becomes the Because the longline is a complex culture system,
necessary force to adhere to the substrate. This feature which requires engineering design to secure the rearing
improves the operation of this model concerning other devices, there was interest in studying the grip behavior
deadweight types. In this sense, Martínez & Carroza of six anchoring types, using scale models, taking as
(1992), supported by some of the authors mentioned reference Carroza (1990), Martínez & Carroza (1992),
above, worked on the anchor dimensioning for longline Concha (1997) and Barrientos (2000).
farming systems. Trujillo et al. (2007) also worked on
calculating the tension in the different longline
MATERIALS AND METHODS
components for the pearl oyster culture, including the
tension generated in the five nails "rezon" anchorage
Materials used in the research
subsystem type traditionally used in Margarita Island.
Sediments were extracted from the intertidal zone
The theoretical framework of scale models Charagato Bay, Cubagua Island, in Universidad de
Oriente Research Station front, to study the behavior of
Voinikanis-Mirskii (1979) states that the model's
five deadweight anchor models and determine their grip
behavior prediction accuracy depends on the efficiency, both dynamic and non-dynamic on this type
appropriate use of their scales. For this, he establishes of substrate, including the five nails "rezon" metal
three scale types that interrelate the prototype (natural) anchor-type as a contrasting element in the evaluation.
dimensions with the model. These scales are the
geometric scale (Lr), kinematic scale (Tr), and the A test panel (Fig. 1) was used, consisting of a
dynamic scale (Fr). The evaluation of each type of scale fiberglass test tank with very fine sand-type sediment
(≈0.063 mm), and seawater of approximately 2.64 m3,
results in three types of similarity: kinematic,
and a two pillars trestle of iron tubes. An inverted V
geometric, and dynamic.
shape, 2.0×1 cm each, on which a 2.20 m in length
Regarding the longline hydrodynamic behavior, the crossbar was placed, graduated with different fractions,
shape, position, and balance of this type of structure with a sliding pulley at the height of 1.7 m. These
located in the sea directly depend on the force's fractions allowed to configure the longitudinal angles
magnitude and direction acting on it. Therefore, for of attack in the direction () of 25, 20, 17, and 15°,
every kind of structure, there is a defined pattern for the corresponding to the aspect ratio (AR) 1/2.5; 1/3.0;
action of the external forces (López et al., 2017). On 1/3.5 and 1/4.0; and the transversal attack angles (β)
this topic, Fridman (1986) divides these forces into which allowed to simulate the deflection or sail effect.
gravitational, hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces These angles were 0, 10, and 20°.
(which are the product of the pressure exerted by the The iron trestle allowed to simulate the interactions
body of water on the structure), friction force of external forces, equivalent to the tensions exerted by
(generated by the reaction of the seafloor), wave action a long line, which influenced the tension in the anchor's
forces, and additional forces caused by the management eyebolt and the gripping efficiency of five scale
of the system (Berteaux, 1976; Baranov, 1977; models. Deadweight, with its respective geometric and
Fridman, 1981). characteristic weight, such as rectangular, simple pyra-
688 Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research
midal, pyramidal with claw system, hollow pyramidal, - Tension in the eyebolt (Tc). Gravitational forces
pyramidal with shovel system. The same simulation simulated it.
procedure was carried out of the external interaction - Anchoring attack angle (vertical deflection) ().
forces and the efficiency of grip on the ring in a five
nails "rezon" anchor scale model. - In the simulation, angles of attack of 25, 20, 17, and
15° were adopted, corresponding to AR 1/2.5; 1/3.0;
Different deadweight scale model's geometric 1/3.5; and 1/4.0, respectively, where the distance of the
relationships designs were applied to keep measure-
model (X) is a function of the height of the pulley (Y)
ments proportional to each side, regardless of the scale located on the iron crossbar (Fig. 1).
to which they were subjected. The plans were prepared
to have reference to Concha (1997), with the respective The assumptions and criteria for carrying out the
measures chosen according to the ease of construction. experience were the friction between the model's rope
(the sliding pulley was considered negligible). The
Concrete was used to construct the deadweight
hydrodynamic magnitude and direction drag vector is
models, consisting of four parts of sand, one of cement,
the result of the net tension applied to the model
and two of gravel, providing a density of approximately
eyebolt, generated by the gravitational forces applied at
2,400 kg m-3 (Barrientos, 2000). In the case of dynamic
moorings, metal structures in the shapes of shovel and the other end rope. The interaction with the substrate is
claw were incorporated into the concrete mix. In the a product of friction and grip; the greater the model
case of non-dynamic deadweight moorings, base metal mass, the greater the friction on the bottom.
structures were used as an eyebolt. The concrete filling
molds in wood-sheet were used based on the scale Sail attack angle (horizontal deflection) (β)
measures determined in the design for the construction In the experience, angles of attack of 0, 10, and 20°
of all the models. were adopted, simulating the descent (deviation) of the
Gravitational forces were used with the help of a anchoring line and the mother line, relative to the
container with sand and gravel to produce the tensions anchoring.
in the eyebolt of the model attached, at one end, to a The conceptual basis for the analysis of the test
line of 8 mm. Weight records were taken with a strain results was created, according to the models' behavior.
gauge type dynamometer, which represented the Thus, the model's displacement (D) concepts and grip
tension in the eyebolt of the model (Fig. 1). efficiency index (IA) were used. The models' displace-
ment, as well as their characteristics and magnitude,
Methods used in the research was evaluated through direct observation.
According to the conceptual research basis, the The grip efficiency of the model (IA) corresponded
following experimental variables were defined: to the model's ratio of the net static rupture tension
Deadweight anchoring behavior for aquaculture 689
(TRE) versus the dry weight of the model (Pm) selected square type mooring. For the geometric scale
(Barrientos, 2000). The necessary force was considered of this prototype we assumed M = 500 kg, square side
for the model to break its hydrostatic equilibrium, and = 0.637 m, area = 1.435 m, and square volume V =
the movement to originate was regarded as the breaking 0.258 m3.
stress. In this way, efficiency was established conside- Likewise, the geometric scale and dynamics of the
ring the registered tension's average, about the mass selected truncated pyramid type prototype anchoring
over the substrate of each model, represented by a were defined. For the geometric scale, it was assumed
dimensionless number. Thus, the ratio of the net static M = 405.25 kg, basis side = 0.637, area = 1.497 m2 and
breaking stress. volume V = 0.248 m3.
IA = TRE / Pm The selected parameter for the basis of the model
was equal to 0.20 m.
The scale of the models
For the construction of the model, two similarity scales Geometric scale
were established: geometric similarity and dynamic The characteristics of the model were, volume = 0.109
similarity. m3, density = 2,400 kg m-3.
The parameter selected for the bases of the model
Geometric linear scale (Lr) was equal to 0.20 m. According to this, the formulation
The linear relationship of prototype anchoring in real for the linear scale of the truncated pyramid was:
scale (Lp) and the homologous dimension of the model Geometric scale used (ELR) = LP / LM = 3.184
(Lm):
Lr = Lp / Lm Force scale
This scale was selected according to the space The scale of forces was determined according to the
availability of the installation and the ease of working. weight characteristics of the prototype, considering a
This scale is defined by dependence, the magnitude of concrete density of = 2,400 kg m-3 (Barrientos, 2000).
the dynamic scale, or scale of forces. The selected parameter, for the basis of the square
model prototype, was equal to 9.5 kg. According to this,
Dynamic scale (Fr) the formulation for the weight scale was:
Relationship between the weight of the prototype Dynamic scale used (EFR) = FP / FM = 52.64
anchoring (Fp) and the theoretical weight of the model Similarly, the parameter selected for the truncated
(Fm): pyramid model basis was equal to 7.7 kg. Therefore, the
Fr = Fp / Fm formulation for the weight scale was:
The theoretical weight of the deadweight model Dynamic scale used (EFR) = FP / FM = 52.63
considered had a concrete mix density of 2,400 kg m-3,
based on the proportions of sand, cement, and gravel On the simulation with scale models
previously indicated. The tension of the anchor line of a longline for AR:
It was determined that the number of repetitions for 1/2.5; 1/3.0; 1/3.5 and 1/4.0 were determined. In this
the tests, for each model, were 10 times (Cochran, sense, the vertical angle of attack () was formed by
1963). coinciding with the current direction at an angle of 0°
(current parallel to the mother line), corresponding to
The Kruskal-Wallis contrast was used to detect the
25, 20, 17, and 15°, according to the different ARs and,
possible differences in the attack angles, and scales of
at the same time, the different charges arising from the
the different models used (Sokal & Rohlf, 1995), and
vertical attack angles () and the corresponding ARs
box and whisker plots were used to locate the
were simulated, which allowed us to measure the
differences.
moment of the static break of the anchor.
RESULTS The sail attack angle (), formed from the angle of
0°, which during the simulation coincides with the
Defining the scales of the deadweight model current parallel to the mother line, was measured
The linear scale was determined by knowing the moving the anchorage line at lateral angles (deflection
geometric relationships, according to two prototypes: a of the mother line) of 0, 10 and 20°. These angles were
square and a truncated pyramid. We proceeded to measured simultaneously with the vertical attack angles
define the geometric scale and the dynamics of the ().
690 Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research
Table 1. Efficiency index (EI) of the different deadweight models. AR: aspect ratio.
Attack angle
AR Model
0° 10° 20°
1/2.5 Simple truncated pyramid 0.331 0.414 0.381
Simple truncated pyramid with claw 0.832 0.878 0.616
Truncated pyramid with shovel 1.006 0.843 0.601
“Rezon” 1.277 0.822 0.533
Square 0.624 0.532 0.315
Hollow truncated pyramid 0.160 0.192 0.132
1/3.0 Simple truncated pyramid 0.614 0.596 0.431
Simple truncated pyramid with claw 1.145 0.721 0.532
Truncated pyramid with shovel 0.755 0.697 0.597
“Rezon” 1.355 1.066 0.596
Square 0.605 0.506 0.392
Hollow truncated pyramid 0.155 0.098 0.068
1/3.5 Simple truncated pyramid 0.471 0.437 0.242
Simple truncated pyramid with claw 1.135 0.631 0.605
Truncated pyramid with shovel 1.116 0.812 0.602
“Rezon” 1.410 1.881 1.088
Square 0.735 0.429 0.446
Hollow truncated pyramid 0.154 0.188 0.155
1/4.0 Simple truncated pyramid 0.527 0.481 0.392
Simple truncated pyramid with claw 0.818 0.697 0.493
Truncated pyramid with shovel 0.950 0.777 0.620
“Rezon” 1.146 0.992 0.648
Square 0.735 0.429 0.457
Hollow truncated pyramid 0.273 0.253 0.192
Figure 3. Weight values variation against different aspect Figure 5. Variation of the weight values against different
ratios in a square shape deadweight model. aspect ratios in a deadweight model of pyramidal shape
with claw structure.
Figure 7. Variation of the weight values against different Figure 9. Variation of the weight values against different
aspect ratios in a deadweight model of pyramidal shape aspect ratios in a pyramid deadweight model.
with blade structure.
Figure 8. Variation of the weight values against different Figure 10. Variation of the weight values against different
sail attack angles () in a deadweight model of pyramidal sail attack angles () in a deadweight model type rezón.
shape.
Regarding the scales, the weight averages for the
P < 0.05). It was determined using the box and whisker AR were 1/2.5 = 2.15 kg; 1/3.0 = 2.46 kg; 1/3.5 = 3.45
plot as a posteriori test that the difference originates the kg; and 1/4.0 = 2.26 kg. The KW contrast detected
values measured in the 20° angle of attack, where it significant differences between the values measured at
would have a lower grip (Fig. 8). different scales (KW = 27.909, P < 0.05). The box and
As for the scales, the weight averages, faced with whisker plot shows that the difference originated the
different vertical attack angles (), derived from the values measured in the scale 1/3.5, relatively high
AR, were 1/2.5 = 1.31 kg; 1/3.0 = 1.91 kg; 1/3.5 = 1.36 values (Fig. 11).
kg; and 1/4.0 = 1.63 kg. The KW contrast detected
significant differences between the values measured at The hollow pyramidal model with a vacuum
different scales (KW = 45.447; P < 0.05). In the box (Adapted from Yokota, 1980)
and whisker plot, the difference is caused by the values For the pyramid type model, provided with a hole in the
in the 1/3 scale, which are relatively high. Also, the bottom (hollow), the values in kg averaged for 0° = 0.52
values in the 1/2.5 scale are relatively low (Fig. 9). kg, for 10° = 0.53 kg, and for 20° = 0.39 kg. The
Kruskal-Wallis contrast detected significant differences
The traditional "rezon" model of Margarita Island between the medians of the measured values (KW =
The weight values needed to move the “rezon” type 14.717; P < 0.05); this difference originated from the
model, before sail attack angles () averaged, for the 0° relatively low values measured at the 20° angle (Fig.
angle = 3.08 kg, for 10° = 2.91 kg, and for 20° = 1.75 12).
kg. The KW contrast detected a significant difference On the other hand, for the different scales, the
between the median values (KW = 52.615; P < 0.05). averages for the AR were 1/2.5 = 0.46 kg; 1/3.0 = 0.31
The box and whisker plot show that the values were kg; 1/3.5 = 0.48 kg; and 1/4.0 = 0.67 kg. The KW test
significantly different for the three angles, with 0° detected significant differences between the medians of
showing the highest values (Fig. 10). the measured values (KW = 64.873, P < 0.05). This
Deadweight anchoring behavior for aquaculture 693
Figure 11. Variation of the weight values against different Figure 13. Variation of the weight values against different
aspect ratios in a deadweight model type "rezon". aspect ratios in a pyramid-type dead with a vacuum.
Table 2. Summary of weight values of the models against different attack angles () and aspect ratios.
Regarding the dead weight's density, the cons- Cochran, W. 1963. Wiley series probability and mathe-
truction of the experience, fixed proportions of a matical statistics-applied. John Wiley & Sons, New
mixture of four parts of sand, two parts of gravel, and York.
one part of cement (relative density of ≈2.400 kg m-3) Concha, M. 1997. Estudio de comportamiento de agarre
were handled. However, the final weights varied de diferentes diseños de anclaje utilizando modelos a
because molds used were completed with a greater or escala. Informe Práctica Profesional II, Ingeniería
lesser mixture volume, according to their shapes and Pesquera, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso,
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Childer, M. 1973. Mooring system in hostile water.
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Research Council of the Universidad de Oriente
Fridman, A.F. 1986. Calculation for fishing gear designs.
financing, within the framework of the Project "Study
FAO fishing manual for fishing books. Fishing news
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designs for longline type flexible culture structures
using scale models, Code CI -6-030602-1665/2010. López, J., Hurtado, C., Gómez, A., Zamora, V., Queirolo,
Thanks to Br. Merving F. Gómez for his valuable D. & Gutiérrez, A. 2017. Stress analysis of a submer-
collaboration in the simulation tests during the sible longline culture system through dynamic
development of the project. simulation. Latin American Journal of Aquatic
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