Offshore Anchor Data For Preliminary Design of Anchors of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

TECHNICAL REPORT
Offshore Anchor Data for Preliminary

Design of Anchors of Floating Offshore
Wind Turbines
August 2013
Prepared by
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

Corporate Offshore Technology, Renewables
16855 Northchase Drive
Houston, Texas 77060
www.eagle.org
This report is prepared under the sponsorship of DE-FOA-0000415, Topic Area 1.3: Subsurface Mooring
and Anchoring Dynamics Models. The principal investigator is Professor Moo Hyun Kim at the Texas A&M
University. For questions about this report, please contact Dr. Qing Yu ([email protected]) at ABS.
Offshore Anchor Data for Preliminary Design of Anchors of FOWTs
Table of Contents
List of Tables ......................................................................................................................... iii
List of Figures ........................................................................................................................ iv
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... v
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1
2 Definition of Applicable Anchors for FOWTs .................................................................. 2

2.1 Anchor Types ............................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Anchor Design Load .................................................................................................. 2
2.3 Soil Conditions .......................................................................................................... 5
3 Drag Anchor Design Data ................................................................................................. 6

3.1 Vryhof Anchors ......................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Bruce Anchors ......................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Drag Anchor Data in API RP 2SK ........................................................................... 13
4 Vertically Loaded Anchor (VLA) Design Data ............................................................... 14

4.1 Vryhof Stevmanta VLA ........................................................................................... 14
4.2 Bruce Dennla VLA .................................................................................................. 16
5 Pile Anchor Design Data.................................................................................................. 17

5.1 Pile Anchor Design Approach.................................................................................. 17
5.1.1 Design Cases............................................................................................... 17
5.1.2 Soil Properties ............................................................................................. 19
5.1.3 Anchor Pile Geometry and Material ............................................................ 20
5.2 Pile Anchor Design Data.......................................................................................... 22
6 Use of the Derived Anchor Design Data .......................................................................... 27

6.1 Application of Anchor Type .................................................................................... 27
6.2 Anchor Sizing Procedure ......................................................................................... 28
6.3 Limitations of the Derived Anchor Design Data ....................................................... 30
i
7 Typical Anchor-Mooring Line Connections ................................................................... 31

7.1 Typical Connections for Drag Anchors and VLAs ................................................... 31
7.2 Typical Connections for Pile Anchors ...................................................................... 34
8 References ........................................................................................................................ 35
ii
List of Tables
Table 2.1 Definition of Clay Type Based on the ASTM and BS Standards [7] .......................... 5
Table 3.1 Design Equations for Vryhof Drag Anchors ............................................................ 6
Table 3.2 Design Equations for Bruce Drag Anchors ............................................................ 10
Table 4.1 Design Equations for Vryhof VLAs for Permanent Moorings ................................ 15
Table 5.1 Pile Anchor Design Cases ..................................................................................... 17
Table 5.2 Definition of Clay Properties for Deriving Pile Anchor Design Data...................... 19
Table 5.3 Definition of Sand Properties for Deriving Pile Anchor Design Data ..................... 20
Table 5.4 Target Pile Anchor L/D and D/T Ratio................................................................... 21
Table 5.5 Design Equations for Pile Anchors of the Spread Mooring System (Metric Units) . 25
Table 5.6 Design Equations for Pile Anchors of the Spread Mooring System (US Customary
Units) .................................................................................................................... 25
Table 5.7 Design Equations for Pile Anchors of the TLP Tendon System (Metric Units) ....... 26
Table 5.8 Design Equations for Pile Anchors of the TLP Tendon System (US Customary
Units) .................................................................................................................... 26
Table 6.1 Typical Application of Anchor Types .................................................................... 27
Table 6.2 Drag Anchor Capacity Reduction Factor for Non-zero Uplifting Angles ................ 27
Table 6.3 Safety Factors Specified in the ABS Guide [1] for FOWT Anchor Design............... 29
iii
List of Figures
Figure 2.1 Maximum Line Top Tension (Normal vs. Abnormal) under the Storm Conditions .. 3
Figure 2.2 Minimum Line Top Tension (Normal vs. Abnormal) under the Storm Conditions... 4
Figure 3.1 Design Curves for Vryhof Stevin Mk3[7].................................................................. 7
Figure 3.2 Design Curves for Vryhof Stevpris Mk5[7] ............................................................... 8
Figure 3.3 Design Curves for Vryhof Stevpris Mk6[7] ............................................................... 9
Figure 3.4 Design Curves for Bruce FFTS Mk4 [5].................................................................. 11
Figure 3.5 Design Curves for Bruce PM Anchor [6]................................................................. 12
Figure 3.6 Design Curves for Bruce FFTS GP Anchor [4]........................................................ 13
Figure 4.1 Vryhof Stevmanta VLA[7]..................................................................................... 14
Figure 4.2 Vryhof Stevmant VLA Design Curves................................................................... 15
Figure 4.3 Bruce Dennla VLA [2]........................................................................................... 16
Figure 5.1 Typical Pile Anchor Ultimate Holding Capacity Envelope..................................... 18
Figure 5.2 Definition of Pile Anchor Geometry ...................................................................... 21
Figure 5.3 Example Pile Anchor Design Curves for the Spread Mooring System (Driven Piles
in Very Soft Clay) ................................................................................................. 23
Figure 5.4 Example Pile Anchor Design Curves for the TLP Tendon System (Suction Piles in
Medium Clay) ....................................................................................................... 24
Figure 7.1 Typical Connections for Drag Anchors and VLAs [7] ............................................. 31
Figure 7.2 Typical Mooring Components Connected to Anchor Shackles [7] ........................... 32
Figure 7.3 Typical Anchor Shackles [7] ................................................................................... 33
Figure 7.4 H Shackles/Links .................................................................................................. 33
Figure 7.5 Typical Pile Anchor and Mooring Line Connection ............................................... 34
Figure 7.6 Typical Suction Anchor Pile and Mooring Line Connection (API RP 2SK) ........... 34
iv
Executive Summary
This report presents the development of offshore anchor data sets which are intended to
be used to develop a database that allows preliminary selection and sizing of anchors for
the conceptual design of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs). The study is part of a
project entitled “Development of Mooring-Anchor Program in Public Domain for
Coupling with Floater Program for FOWTs (Floating Offshore Wind Turbines)”, under
the direction of Dr. Moo-Hyun Kim at the Texas A&M University and with the
sponsorship from the US Department of Energy (Contract No. DE-EE0005479, CFDA #
81.087 for DE-FOA-0000415, Topic Area 1.3: Subsurface Mooring and Anchoring
Dynamics Models).
The ABS project team collected and analyzed specifications of various types of generic
offshore anchors that are available in the public domain. For pile anchors, the empirical
design equations for initial sizing are derived using a pile-soil finite element analysis
program based on the recommended design methods for pile foundations in API RP 2A.
Typical combinations of soil properties and load conditions are applied in the derivation
of the pile anchor design equations.
The design data and equations are derived for four types of commonly use offshore
anchors, including
• Drag anchors
• Vertical Loaded Anchors (VLAs)
• Suction pile anchors
• Driven pile anchors
A brief guidance on the application and limitation of the derived anchor design data is
provided. Typical anchor-mooring line connections are also reviewed and documented.
v
1 Introduction
This study is to collect, analyze and document specifications and main design parameters
of generic offshore anchors. These data are intended to be used to develop an anchor
database that enables the users to perform a preliminary anchor selection and sizing based
on global performance analysis results and additional input such as soil conditions. Once
completed, the database will be made available in the public domain as a part of the
mooring analysis program module that can be integrated into design software for floating
offshore wind turbines (FOWTs).
The study is divided into six tasks as summarized in the following:
1. Definition of applicable anchors for FOWTs (Section 2)

• Review existing floating wind turbine designs
• Determine types of applicable anchors
• Estimate the range of anchor loads to be covered by the derived anchor design
data
• Develop typical soil profiles for which anchor design data will be generated
2. Drag anchor design data (Section 3)

• Review drag anchor data in existing design guidelines such as API RP 2SK
• Collect drag anchor data from Vryhof and Bruce for commonly used offshore
drag embedment anchors such as Stevpris Mark 6 and Bruce FFTS Mark 5
• Generate drag anchor design data
3. Vertically Loaded Anchor (VLA) design data (Section 4)

• Collect VLA performance data from the manufacturers (Vryhof and Bruce)
• Generate design data for VLAs based upon available information
4. Pile anchor design data (Section 5)

• Generate design data for suction pile anchors in accordance with API RP 2A
• Generate design data for driven pile anchors in accordance with API RP 2A
5. Guidance on application of the derived anchor design data (Section 6)
6. Typical connections between the anchor and the mooring line for various anchor
types (Section 7)
The references are listed in Section 8.
1
2 Definition of Applicable Anchors for FOWTs
2.1 Anchor Types
A state-of-the-art review of various designs, prototypes and concepts of floating offshore

wind turbines (FOWTs) was performed in the BSEE TA&R Project No. 669 [8].
Numerous publications have been reviewed and commented. It was found that, in general,
the stationkeeping systems employed by the existing design concepts of FOWTs include
the spread mooring (catenary, taut-line or semi-taut-line) system and the tension leg
system. The design and selection of the stationkeeping systems of FOWTs are mostly
based on experience from the offshore oil and gas industry. For the spread mooring
system, four typical anchor types, including drag anchors, VLAs, conventional piles
anchors and suction pile anchors are commonly adopted, depending on the configuration
of mooring system, floating support structure type, soil conditions, maximum line
tensions, installation considerations, as well as costs. For the tension leg system,
conventional pile anchors or suction pile anchors are typically used because of the
requirement of high axial holding capacity.
The anchor design data presented in this report are generated for typical offshore anchors
with consideration of the effect of floating support structure types, soil properties, and
maximum line tension ranges. Four types of commonly used offshore anchors are
covered in this study, which include:
• Drag anchors
• Vertical Loaded Anchors (VLAs)
• Suction pile anchors
• Driven pile anchors
Other anchor types, such as the gravity anchor and foundation template, could also
provide alternative solutions for a specific FOWT design. These special anchors are not
addressed by this study as they have to be custom-designed based on specific project
requirements and there is no generic design that could be derived.
2.2 Anchor Design Load
There is limited information about the typical range of maximum mooring line or tendon
tension loads. BSEE TA&R Project No. 669 [8] performed extensive case studies using a
Spar-type (3-line catenary mooring), a Semisubmersible-type (4-line catenary mooring),
and a TLP-type (8-line tendon) floating wind turbines under various storm conditions on
the US Outer Continental Shelf. The results of maximum and minimum line tensions in
the intact line condition are summarized in Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2. It is shown that
2
• the maximum line tensions is about 7,000 kN for the Spar and Semisubmersible
FOWTs where the catenary mooring system is used; and
• the maximum tendon tension is about 12,000 kN for the TLP FOWT with tendons.
By applying a safety factor of 2.0 to the design of mooring line or tendon in the intact
line condition, the anchor design load is estimated to be 14,000 kN (3,147 kips) for the
Spar and the Semisubmersible FOWTs equipped with the catenary mooring system and
24,000 kN (5,395 kips) for the TLP FOWT with the tendon system.
Yaw Error Effect at Different Site Yaw Error Effect at Different Site
for Spar & 50-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned for Spar & 100-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned
8000 8000
7000 7000
Line Tension (kN)
Line Tension (kN)

6000 6000
5000 5000
4000 4000
3000 Spar-yaw 8 deg 3000 Spar-yaw 8 deg
1000 1000
0 0
GOM WEST EAST GOM WEST EAST
Site Site
for Semi & 50-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned for Semi & 100-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned
8000 8000
7000 7000
Line Tension (kN)
Line Tension (kN)
6000 6000
5000 5000
4000 4000
3000 Semi-yaw 8 deg 3000 Semi-yaw 8 deg
2000 Semi-yaw 30 deg 2000 Semi-yaw 30 deg
1000 1000
0 0
Site Site
for TLP & 50-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned for TLP & 100-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned
14000 14000
12000 12000
Line Tension (kN)
Line Tension (kN)
10000 10000
8000 8000
6000 TLP-yaw 8 deg 6000 TLP-yaw 8 deg
4000 4000
TLP-yaw 30 deg TLP-yaw 30 deg
2000 2000
0 0
Site Site
50-Year Return Storm Conditions 100-Year Return Storm Conditions
Figure 2.1 Maximum Line Top Tension (Normal vs. Abnormal) under the Storm
Conditions
3
for Spar & 50-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned for Spar & 100-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned
1400 1400
1200 1200
Line Tension (kN)
Line Tension (kN)

1000 1000
800 800
400 400
Spar-yaw 30 deg Spar-yaw 30 deg
200 200
0 0
Site Site
for Semi & 50-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned for Semi & 100-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned
600 600
500 500
Line Tension (kN)
Line Tension (kN)

400 400
300 300
Semi-yaw 8 deg Semi-yaw 8 deg
200 200
Semi-yaw 30 deg Semi-yaw 30 deg
100 100
0 0
Site Site
for TLP & 50-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned for TLP & 100-yr Conditions & Wind Wave Aligned
4000 4000
3500 3500
Line Tension (kN)
Line Tension (kN)
3000 3000
2500 2500
2000 2000
500 500
0 0
Site Site
50-Year Return Storm Conditions 100-Year Return Storm Conditions
Figure 2.2 Minimum Line Top Tension (Normal vs. Abnormal) under the Storm
Conditions
4
2.3 Soil Conditions
The preliminary design data derived in this study are intended for worldwide applications,
which may include a large variety of soil conditions. With consideration of availability of
generic anchor design data and typical applications of offshore anchor, the following soil
conditions, in combination with the specific anchor types, are considered in this study:
• Drag anchors: very soft clay, medium clay, hard clay, sand
• VLAs: very soft clay, medium clay
• Suction piles: very soft clay, medium clay
• Driven piles: very soft clay, medium clay, sand
It should be noted that there are no unified definition of representative soil conditions,
and that it is beyond the scope of this study to define these terms. For reference, Table 2.1,
which is adapted from the Vryhof Anchor Manual [7], provides the definition of clay
types obtained using the recommended methods of ASTM and BS standards.
It should also be noted that, for actual site conditions, the soil is not uniform along the
depth. For VLAs, conventional driven piles and suction piles, assumptions are made in
this study for the undrained shear strength profiles. The detail definitions of soil
properties are provided in Section 4 and Section 5, based on which the anchor design data
are derived. Although efforts are made to select representative data, the user should be
aware that the assumed soil properties are for the purpose of initial anchor sizing for the
preliminary/conceptual design of FOWTs. Actual soil properties should be obtained from
site assessment and used in detail designs.
Table 2.1 Definition of Clay Type Based on the ASTM and BS Standards [7]
Clay Type Undrained Shear Strength (kPa)

ASTM D-2488 BS CP-2004
Very Soft 0 – 13 0 – 20
Soft 13 – 25 20 – 40
Firm 25 – 50 40 – 75
Stiff 50 – 100 75 – 150
Very Stiff 100 – 200 150 – 300
Hard 200 – 400 300 – 600
Very Hard > 400 > 600
5
3 Drag Anchor Design Data
3.1 Vryhof Anchors
Vryhof has developed and manufactured a number of widely used offshore anchors in the
past thirty years. Figure 3.1 through Figure 3.3 provide the anchor drawings and design
charts for the three most recent models, viz. Stevin Mk3, Stevpris Mk5, and Stevpris Mk6,
described in the Vryhof Anchor Manual [7].
The design curve denoted sand represents competent soils, such as medium dense sands
and stiff to hard clays and is based on a silica sand of medium density. In sand and hard
clay the optimal fluke/shank angle is typically set to 32 degrees.
The design curve denoted medium clay represents such soils as silt and firm to stiff clays.
The fluke/shank angle is normally set at 32 degrees for optimal performance.
The design curve denoted very soft clay represents such soils as very soft clays (mud),
and loose and weak silts. The curve is applicable in soil that can be described by an
undrained shear strength of 4 kPa at the surface increasing by 1.5 kPa per meter depth or
in the equation Su = 4+1.5z, with Su in kPa and z being the depth in meters below seabed.
In very soft soils the optimum fluke/shank angle is typically 50 degrees.
Table 3.1 summarizes the design equations for Vryhof drag anchors derived based on the
design curves in Figure 3.1 through Figure 3.3.
Table 3.1 Design Equations for Vryhof Drag Anchors
UHC = a*(W)b
Metric Unit US Customary Unit

• UHC: Anchor Ultimate • UHC: Anchor Ultimate
Vryhof Anchor Soil Holding Capacity (kN) Holding Capacity (kips)
• W: Anchor Weight (MT) • W: Anchor Weight (kips)
(1 ~ 50 MT) (1 ~ 110 kips)
a b a b
Very Soft Clay 161.23 0.92 17.51 0.92
Stevin MK3 Medium Clay 229.19 0.92 24.90 0.92
Sand and Hard Clay 324.42 0.90 35.80 0.90
Very Soft Clay 392.28 0.92 42.61 0.92
Stevpris MK5 Medium Clay 552.53 0.92 60.02 0.92
Very Soft Clay 509.96 0.93 54.96 0.93
Stevpris MK6 Medium Clay 701.49 0.93 75.60 0.93
6
Figure 3.1 Design Curves for Vryhof Stevin Mk3[7]
7
Figure 3.2 Design Curves for Vryhof Stevpris Mk5[7]
8
Figure 3.3 Design Curves for Vryhof Stevpris Mk6[7]
9
3.2 Bruce Anchors
Similar to Vryhof, Bruce Anchor Group is another major supplier of offshore anchors.
Figure 3.4 through Figure 3.6 depict the design charts and equation for the three recent
models including FFTS Mk4 [5], PM (Permanent Mooring) [6], and FFTS GP (General
Purpose) [4], respectively. It should be noted that the Bruce anchor design data include the
effect of the forerunner (chain or wire rope). The fluke angle is typically set at 30 degrees
for sand and 50 degrees for soft clay.
Table 3.2 summarizes the design equations for the Bruce drag anchors based on the
design curves in Figure 3.4 through Figure 3.6.
Table 3.2 Design Equations for Bruce Drag Anchors
UHC = a*(W)b
Metric Unit US Customary Unit

• UHC: Anchor Ultimate • UHC: Anchor Ultimate
Fore- Holding Capacity (kN) Holding Capacity (kips)
Vryhof Anchor Soil
runner • W: Anchor Weight (MT) • W: Anchor Weight (kips)
(1 ~ 45 MT for FFTS MK4) (2 ~ 99 kips for FFTS MK4)
(1 ~ 45 MT for PM) (2 ~ 99 kips for PM)
(1 ~ 20 MT for FFTS GP) (2 ~ 44 kips for FFTS GP)
a b a b
Soft Clay Chain 391.79 0.92 42.56 0.92
FFTS MK4 Soft Clay Wire 487.02 0.92 52.90 0.92
Sand Chain 459.56 0.94 49.14 0.94
Soft Clay Chain 450.53 0.92 48.94 0.92
PM Soft Clay Wire 560.08 0.92 60.84 0.92
Sand Chain 597.44 0.94 63.88 0.94
Soft Clay Chain 636.67 0.92 69.16 0.92
FFTS GP Soft Clay Wire 791.42 0.92 85.97 0.92
Sand Chain 746.80 0.94 79.85 0.94
10
Figure 3.4 Design Curves for Bruce FFTS Mk4 [5]
11
Figure 3.5 Design Curves for Bruce PM Anchor [6]
12
Figure 3.6 Design Curves for Bruce FFTS GP Anchor [4]
3.3 Drag Anchor Data in API RP 2SK
API RP 2SK [3] provides design charts for a number of old drag embedment anchors,
which have much lower holding capacities. Most of these drag anchors are no longer in
production and, therefore, their design data are not included in the present study.
13
4 Vertically Loaded Anchor (VLA) Design Data
4.1 Vryhof Stevmanta VLA
Figure 4.1 depicts the Vryhof Stevmanta VLA[7], which is one of the popular choices of
VLAs in the offshore industry for permanent moorings.
Figure 4.1 Vryhof Stevmanta VLA[7]
[7]
Typical Ultimate Pull-out Capacity (UPC), according to the Vryhof Anchor Manual ,
can be expressed in the equations as stated below:
UPC= Nc *Su *A
where,
UPC = Ultimate Pull-out Capacity (kN)
Nc = bearing capacity factor
A = fluke area (m2)
Su = undrained shear strength of clay (kPa)
= k *D
D = penetration depth (m)
= 1.5 *k 0.6 *d -0.7 *A 0.3 *[tan (α)] 1.7
k = quotient undrained shear strength of clay (kPa/m)
d = mooring line or installation line diameter (m)
α = fluke-shank angle (deg)
14
To derive the design data, typical values of the following parameters are applied:
d = diameter of a wire rope which has the MBS equivalent to twice the UPC
Nc = 10
α = 50º
The design curves and equations are presented in Figure 4.2 and Table 2.1 for various
quotient undrained shear strength (k) of clay. The undrained shear strength of clay (Su) is
defined above.
Figure 4.2 Vryhof Stevmant VLA Design Curves
Table 4.1 Design Equations for Vryhof VLAs for Permanent Moorings
A = c*UHC + d
Metric Unit US Customary Unit Metric Unit US Customary Unit

• A: Required fluke area (m2) • A: Required fluke area (ft2)
Soil Quotient (1 ~ 30 m2) Soil Quotient (10 ~ 320 ft2)
Undrained Undrained
Shear Strength • UHC: Required Anchor Shear Strength • UHC: Required Anchor
Holding Capacity (kN) Holding Capacity (kips)
k (kPa/m) k (psf/ft)
c d c d
1.25 (very soft) 0.003581 -0.1094 8 (very soft) 0.1715 -1.177
1.75 (very soft) 0.002461 -0.2847 11 (very soft) 0.1178 -3.065
2.25 (medium) 0.001857 -0.3259 14 (medium) 0.0889 -3.509
2.75 (medium) 0.001489 -0.3176 18 (medium) 0.0713 -3.419
15
4.2 Bruce Dennla VLA
Figure 4.3 shows a picture of the Bruce Dennla VLA, which is also well accepted for use
in mooring operations. However the manufacturer, Bruce Anchor Group, does not
provide the design information for this VLA and therefore the anchor design data cannot
be generated.
Figure 4.3 Bruce Dennla VLA [2]
16
5 Pile Anchor Design Data
5.1 Pile Anchor Design Approach
Based on the estimated maximum design loads in Section 2.2, the pile anchor design data
are derived to accommodate the maximum design load up to 16,000 KN or 3,500 kips for
FOWTs with the spread mooring system, and 27,000 KN or 6,000 kips for TLP-type
FOWTs with the tendon system.
The pile anchor design data are derived in accordance with the pile foundation design
procedure outlined in API RP 2A [2]. The finite element method for beam-columns is used
to calculate the pile deflection, bending stresses, shear force, axial stress, and soil
deformation.
5.1.1 Design Cases
There are many parameters for pile anchor design, such as type of mooring, anchor type,
soil type, anchor load direction, anchor padeye location, and anchor dimension ratio, etc.
With consideration of typical pile anchor configurations and their intended applications,
the pile anchor design data are derived for the cases listed in Table 5.1.
Table 5.1 Pile Anchor Design Cases
Load Direction
Mooring Type Anchor Type Soil
from Horizontal
Spread Mooring System Suction Pile Very Soft Clay 40º
(Semisubmersible, Spar, etc.) Medium Clay
Spread Mooring System Driven Pile Very Soft Clay 40º

(Semisubmersible, Spar, etc.) Medium Clay
Sand
Tendon System Suction Pile Very Soft Clay 90º
(TLP, etc.) Medium Clay
Tendon System Driven Pile Very Soft Clay 90º

(TLP, etc.) Medium Clay
Sand
In the global performance analysis, the mooring line typically ends on the seafloor so the
buried section of mooring line connecting to the padeye is not included. The buried
section of mooring line is approximately in an inverse catenary shape in the case of
catenary mooring. See Figure 7.6 for an example. As a result, the vertical load on a pile
anchor always exist in reality, even if the mooring line load obtained from the global
17
performance analysis is horizontal (i.e. in parallel to the seafloor). In many cases, the
optimal utilization of pile anchor capacity is achieved when the direction of maximum
loading at the padeye, i.e. Ѳ in Figure 5.2, is approximately 35-45 degrees from the
horizontal direction. Figure 5.1 depicts a typical ultimate holding capacity envelope for
pile anchors. It shows that when the loading angle at the padeye is smaller than 40
degrees, the pile holding capacity is determined by the pile’s lateral capacity, while for a
loading angle larger than 40 degrees, the pile’s axial capacity will govern.
Recommendations on the use of the derived pile anchor data for various loading angles
are provided in Section 6.2.
2500
2000
Axial Load (Kips)
1500
1000
500
Θ= 40deg
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Lateral Load (Kips)
Figure 5.1 Typical Pile Anchor Ultimate Holding Capacity Envelope
18
5.1.2 Soil Properties
Table 5.6 and Table 5.7 list the representative soil properties for very soft clay, medium
clay, and sand used in the derivation of the pile anchor design data.
Table 5.2 Definition of Clay Properties for Deriving Pile Anchor Design Data
Soil Type
Unit System Soil Property Unit
Very Soft Clay Medium Clay
k0 kPa 2.39 23.94
k kPa/m 1.41 2.67
Metric Units γ kN/m3 4.71 9.43
ε50 - 0.02 0.01
m - 0.33 0.25
k0 psf 50 500
k psf/ft 9 17
US Customary Units γ pcf 30 60
ε50 - 0.02 0.01
m - 0.33 0.25
Notes:
k0 Undrained shear strength at the seafloor
k Quotient undrained shear strength
γ effective unit weight
ε50 50% of the strain at the ultimate soil resistance
m Exponential constant defining the shape of the p-y curve
19
Table 5.3 Definition of Sand Properties for Deriving Pile Anchor Design Data
Soil Type
Unit System Soil Property Unit
Sand
ϕ deg 30
γ kN/m3 8.64
C1 - 1.9
Metric Units C2 - 2.7
C3 - 27
k kN/m3 13573
A - 0.9
ϕ deg 30
γ pcf 55
C1 - 1.9
US Customary Units C2 - 2.7
C3 - 27
k lb/in3 50
A - 0.9
Notes:
ϕ angle of internal friction
γ effective unit weight
k initial modulus of subgrade reaction
[2]
A coefficient for dynamic loading (see API RP 2A )
[2]
C1, C2, C3 coefficients determined in accordance with API RP 2A
5.1.3 Anchor Pile Geometry and Material
Figure 5.2 depicts the definition of anchor pile geometry. Table 5.8 contains the target
ratios of L/D and D/T, where L is the pile length; D is the outer diameter; and T is the
wall thickness. These target ratios are determined based on common design practice of
offshore pile anchors for permanent mooring systems. In the calculation of pile size for
each design case, the target ratios are used to generate initial pile dimensions used in the
design iteration. The actual ratio of L/D and D/T may slightly differ from the target
values.
The pile top is assumed at the mud line (i.e. d = 0 as shown in Figure 5.2) in the derived
design data. Additional pile length above the seafloor may be added to the calculated pile
length in the case that the anchor top is above the seafloor.
The location of the padeye for mooring line connection is assumed to be
• 50% L of a driven pile from the pile top at the mud line and;
20
• 70% L of a suction pile measured from the pile top at the mud line.
These padeye locations can in general provide most efficient soil resistance to the anchor
load. The padeye location does not apply to the pile anchor of the TLP tendon system.
The piles are assumed to be constructed using mild steel with a specified minimum yield
strength of 36 ksi (248 MPa). To the extent of this study, the yield strength is found
having no impact on sizing driven piles of the TLP tendon system or suction piles of the
spread mooring system, because the bending stress in these cases is very low and the total
stress is well below the yield strength. It is possible that the material yield strength may
affect the design of driven piles of the spread mooring system. However, use of higher
yield steel would not significantly change the anchor size since the anchor geometry is
also affected by the L/D and D/T ratios.
Mudline
d=0
Soil Anchor Load
L Θ
Figure 5.2 Definition of Pile Anchor Geometry
Table 5.4 Target Pile Anchor L/D and D/T Ratio
Mooring Pile Anchor L/D D/T

Driven Pile for Very Soft Clay 30 30
Driven Pile for Medium Clay 30 30
Spread Mooring System Driven Pile for Sand 40 25
Suction Pile for Very Soft Clay 6 150
Suction Pile for Medium Clay 6 150
Driven Pile for Very Soft Clay 50 40
Driven Pile for Medium Clay 50 40
TLP Tendon System Driven Pile for Sand 50 40
Suction Pile for Very Soft Clay 6 150
Suction Pile for Medium Clay 6 150
21
5.2 Pile Anchor Design Data
The derivation of pile anchor design data follows the pile foundation design method
recommended by API RP 2A. The analysis method for piles of TLP tendon systems is
the same as that used for piles of spread mooring systems, except that the loading angle is
set to 90 degrees and, therefore, the lateral soil resistance is not utilized.
Figure 5.3 presents an example of the design curves for the driven pile anchor of the
spread mooring system in medium clay. For this particular example, 10 design loads are
selected for the calculation of required geometry of the driven pile. Curve fitting is used
to generate the design curves and the 95% confidence level limits. Another example of
the design curves for the suction pile anchor of the TLP tendon system is shown in Figure
5.4, where 15 design loads are selected for generating the design data points.
Table 5.5 and Table 5.6 provide the design equations expressed in the metric units and
the US customary units, respectively, for the pile anchors of the spread mooring system.
Table 5.7 and Table 5.8 present the design equations expressed in the metric units and the
US customary units, respectively, for the pile anchors of the TLP tendon system.
It should be noted that these pile design equations are derived without applying any
safety factors. In this regard, the required holding capacity or the design load is the same
as the anchor’s ultimate hold capacity.
22
Figure 5.3 Example Pile Anchor Design Curves for the Spread Mooring System
(Driven Piles in Very Soft Clay)
23
Figure 5.4 Example Pile Anchor Design Curves for the TLP Tendon System
(Suction Piles in Medium Clay)
24
Table 5.5 Design Equations for Pile Anchors of the Spread Mooring System
(Metric Units)
L,D,T = c*(UHC)d
• L: Pile length (m)
• D: Pile outer diameter (m)
• T: Pile thickness (mm)
Pile Anchor Type Soil • UHC: Required pile ultimate holding capacity (kN) (≤16,000 kN)
L D T
(m) (m) (mm)
c d c d c d
Very Soft Clay 2.1697 0.3447 0.1049 0.3016 0.6722 0.4694
Driven Pile Medium Clay 1.2976 0.3733 0.0529 0.3452 1.0531 0.4042
Sand 2.5296 0.2907 0.0319 0.3700 1.1185 0.3889
Very Soft Clay 1.1161 0.3442 0.3095 0.2798 2.0580 0.2803
Suction Pile
Medium Clay 0.5166 0.3995 0.1260 0.3561 0.8398 0.3561
Table 5.6 Design Equations for Pile Anchors of the Spread Mooring System
(US Customary Units)
L,D,T = c*(UHC)d
• L: Pile length (ft)
• D: Pile outer diameter (ft)
• T: Pile thickness (in)
Pile Anchor Type Soil • UHC: Required pile ultimate holding capacity (kips) (≤3,500 kips)
L D T
(ft) (ft) (in)
c d c d c d
Very Soft Clay 11.9044 0.3447 0.5398 0.3016 0.0533 0.4695
Sand 12.8039 0.2907 0.1820 0.3700 0.0787 0.3889
Very Soft Clay 6.1209 0.3442 1.5417 0.2797 0.1231 0.2803
Suction Pile
Medium Clay 3.0754 0.3996 0.7031 0.3561 0.0562 0.3561
25
Table 5.7 Design Equations for Pile Anchors of the TLP Tendon System
(Metric Units)
L,D,T = c*(UHC)d
• L: Pile length (m)
• D: Pile outer diameter (m)
• T: Pile thickness (mm)
Pile Anchor Type Soil • UHC: Pile ultimate holding capacity (kN) (≤27,000 kN)
L D T
(m) (m) (mm)
c d c d c d
Very Soft Clay 3.2744 0.3374 0.0655 0.3375 1.6390 0.3373
Sand 2.1555 0.3333 0.0431 0.3334 1.0787 0.3332
Very Soft Clay 1.1037 0.3621 0.2475 0.3200 1.6500 0.3200
Suction Pile
Medium Clay 0.5082 0.4181 0.1509 0.3487 1.0057 0.3487
Table 5.8 Design Equations for Pile Anchors of the TLP Tendon System
(US Customary Units)
L,D,T = c*(UHC)d
• L: Pile length (ft)
• D: Pile outer diameter (ft)
• T: Pile thickness (in)
Pile Anchor Type Soil • UHC: Pile ultimate holding capacity (kips) (≤6,000 kips)
L D T
(ft) (ft) (in)
c d c d c d
Very Soft Clay 17.7810 0.3374 0.3557 0.3374 0.1066 0.3375
Sand 11.6269 0.3333 0.2326 0.3332 0.0697 0.3333
Very Soft Clay 6.2178 0.3621 1.3091 0.3200 0.1047 0.3201
Suction Pile
Medium Clay 3.1115 0.4182 0.8330 0.3487 0.0666 0.3487
26
6 Use of the Derived Anchor Design Data
6.1 Application of Anchor Type
Table 6.1 summarizes typical applications of various anchor types.
Table 6.1 Typical Application of Anchor Types
Mooring Type Drag Anchor VLA Driven Pile Suction Pile

Catenary √ √ √
Taut Leg √ √ √
Tendon √ √
In the case of catenary mooring, there must be a sufficient length of mooring line resting
on the seafloor such that no uplifting angle occurs under any design conditions. With the
use of modern high capacity drag anchors, a small uplifting angle may be acceptable for
the catenary mooring although there is no universal criterion as to how large this angle
should be allowed. API RP 2SK[3], Appendix D indicates that up to 20 degrees may work
fine for those high capacity drag anchors. There are some limitations cautioned in API
RP 2SK, including (1) uplifting angle may be acceptable for extreme or damaged
conditions, but not for the operational load conditions; (2) sufficient anchor penetration
should be achieved such that the application may only be justifiable for very soft clay; (3)
an anchor capacity reduction factor as a function of uplifting angle has to be applied, i.e.
there is an additional safety factor applied for non-zero uplifting angles; (4) non-zero
uplifting angles may only be allowed for certain high capacity drag anchors. For Vryhof
and Bruce anchors for which the design data are provided in this report, the following
anchor capacity reduction factor adapted from API RP 2SK, Appendix D may be used as
an approximation.
Table 6.2 Drag Anchor Capacity Reduction Factor for Non-zero Uplifting Angles
Uplifting Angle Capacity Reduction Factor

(deg)
0 1.0
5 0.98
10 0.95
15 0.89
20 0.81
27
For driven pile and suction anchors used in catenary or taut-leg mooring systems, the
padeye are located at certain burial depth below the mud line. The exact location of the
padeye should be determined by design optimization. For preliminary sizing of anchor
piles, a prescribed typical value may be used instead. The design data provided in Section
5 is derived with the assumption that the padeye is located at 50% of the driven pile
length and 70% of the suction pile length below the mud line.
6.2 Anchor Sizing Procedure
A suggested preliminary anchor sizing procedure is outlined as follows:
1. Perform global performance analyses for an FOWT subjected to the design load cases
under consideration.
2. Determine the largest value of the maximum mooring/tendon line load times an
applicable safety factor among all the design load cases under consideration. Where
relevant, consideration should also be given to the maximum mooring line load with a
smaller magnitude but acting in a direction where the pile anchor holding capacity is
determined by a different failure mode (pull-out due to the insufficient axial capacity
or rotation due to the insufficient lateral capacity).
3. Determine the anchor size using the anchor design data in this report.
• Drag anchor: Use the design equations in Section 3 (Table 3.1 and Table 3.2) to
determine the required anchor weight
• VLA: Use the design equations in Section 4 (Table 4.1) to determine the required
fluke area for Vryhof Stevmanta VLA. Design data for Bruce Dennla are not
available.
• Pile Anchor: Use the design equations in Section 5 (Table 5.5 or Table 5.6 for pile
anchors of the spread mooring system; Table 5.7 or Table 5.8 for pile anchors of
the tendon system) to determine the pile size (L, D, and T). Additional pile length
above the seafloor can be added to the calculated pile length if the anchor top is
above the seafloor. If the mooring line uplifting angle at the dip-down point on
the sea floor is larger than 40 degrees (i.e. in the taut-leg mooring case), the pile
holding capacity can be assumed being governed by the axial capacity. The
design curves in Table 5.7 or Table 5.8 for piles under axial loading for TLPs
should therefore be applied. The anchor design load should be the vertical
component of the maximum mooring line load times an applicable safety factor.
If the mooring line uplifting angle is equal to or smaller than 40 degrees, the pile
holding capacity can be assumed being governed by the lateral capacity. As a
slightly conservative approximation, the anchor design load can be taken as the
horizontal component of the maximum mooring line load divided by cos(40-deg)
28
times an applicable safety factor. The design curves in Table 5.5 or Table 5.6 for
pile anchors subjected to 40-degree loading at the padeye should then be applied.
[1]
For reference, the safety factors specified in the ABS Guide for anchors of FOWT
stationkeeping systems are quoted in Table 6.3.
Table 6.3 Safety Factors Specified in the ABS Guide [1] for FOWT Anchor Design
29
6.3 Limitations of the Derived Anchor Design Data
The derived anchor design data should be used with consideration of the following
limitations:
• The anchor design data are derived using
o the information provided by anchor manufacturers for recent models of

drag anchors and VLAs, and
o the software with simplified anchor and soil models for suction piles and
driven piles based on the recommended design method in API RP 2A.
• Generic soil terms are used and defined using representative soil properties.
Actual soil properties obtained through the site assessment should be applied in
the detail design.
• Representative values for some anchor design parameters are selected based on
past experience. No optimization is performed.
• The anchor design data are intended only for preliminary anchor sizing. The
results of such preliminary sizing should be considered as indicative values.
30
7 Typical Anchor-Mooring Line Connections
7.1 Typical Connections for Drag Anchors and VLAs
[7]
Figure 7.1, which is adapted from the Vryhof Anchor Manual , shows typical anchor-
mooring connections for drag anchors and VLAs.
Figure 7.1 Typical Connections for Drag Anchors and VLAs [7]
31
The typical mooring components and anchor shackles referenced in Figure 7.1 are shown
in Figure 7.2 and Figure 7.3, respectively
Figure 7.2 Typical Mooring Components Connected to Anchor Shackles [7]
32
Figure 7.3 Typical Anchor Shackles [7]
In addition to the anchor shackles shown in Figure 7.2 and Figure 7.3, H shackles/links as
illustrated in Figure 7.4 have found more and more applications in recent years in
permanent offshore mooring systems. These H links are suitable to connect a drag
anchors, a VLA, or a pile anchor padeye with the mooring line.
Vicinay Offshore H Link LeBeon H Link
Figure 7.4 H Shackles/Links
33
7.2 Typical Connections for Pile Anchors
Typical configurations of pile anchor connection are presented in Figure 7.5 and Figure
7.6, where the anchor shackles are shown in Figure 7.3 and Figure 7.4 and the typical
mooring line components connecting to the pile anchor shackle are shown in Figure 7.2.
Padeye Studless End Link
Studless Enlarged Link Common Chain Link
Anchor Shackle
Anchor Pile
Figure 7.5 Typical Pile Anchor and Mooring Line Connection
Figure 7.6 Typical Suction Anchor Pile and Mooring Line Connection (API RP 2SK)
34
8 References
[1]. ABS, 2013. Guide for Building and Classing Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Installations.
[2]. API, 2007. API RP 2A-WSD: Recommended Practice for Planning, Designing,
and Constructing Fixed Offshore structures – Working Stress Design, 21st Edition
(with Errata and Supplement in 2002, 2005 and 2007).
[3]. API, 2005. API RP 2SK: Recommended Practice for Design and Analysis of
Stationkeeping Systems for Floating Structures, 3rd Edition (with Addendum in
2008).
[4]. Bruce Anchor Group. Bruce FFTS GP (General Purpose) Anchor Data Sheet
[5]. Bruce Anchor Group. Bruce FFTS Mk 4 Anchor Data Sheet
[6]. Bruce Anchor Group. Bruce PM (Permanent Mooring) Anchor Data Sheet
[7]. Vryhof Anchors, 2010. Vryhof Anchor Manual
[8]. Yu, Q. and Chen, X., 2012. Floating Wind Turbines. Final Report for BSEE
TA&R Project No. 669. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
(BSEE), U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.
35

Offshore Anchor Data For Preliminary Design of Anchors of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

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Offshore Anchor Data For Preliminary Design of Anchors of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

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TECHNICAL REPORT

Offshore Anchor Data for Preliminary

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

List of Tables ......................................................................................................................... iii

List of Figures ........................................................................................................................ iv

Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... v

2 Definition of Applicable Anchors for FOWTs .................................................................. 2

3 Drag Anchor Design Data ................................................................................................. 6

4 Vertically Loaded Anchor (VLA) Design Data ............................................................... 14

5 Pile Anchor Design Data.................................................................................................. 17

6 Use of the Derived Anchor Design Data .......................................................................... 27

7 Typical Anchor-Mooring Line Connections ................................................................... 31

The study is divided into six tasks as summarized in the following:

1. Definition of applicable anchors for FOWTs (Section 2)

2. Drag anchor design data (Section 3)

3. Vertically Loaded Anchor (VLA) design data (Section 4)

4. Pile anchor design data (Section 5)

5. Guidance on application of the derived anchor design data (Section 6)

The references are listed in Section 8.

2 Definition of Applicable Anchors for FOWTs

2.1 Anchor Types

A state-of-the-art review of various designs, prototypes and concepts of floating offshore

2.2 Anchor Design Load

Line Tension (kN)

Line Tension (kN)

Line Tension (kN)

50-Year Return Storm Conditions 100-Year Return Storm Conditions

Line Tension (kN)

Line Tension (kN)

Line Tension (kN)

50-Year Return Storm Conditions 100-Year Return Storm Conditions

2.3 Soil Conditions

Clay Type Undrained Shear Strength (kPa)

3 Drag Anchor Design Data

3.1 Vryhof Anchors

Table 3.1 Design Equations for Vryhof Drag Anchors

Metric Unit US Customary Unit

Figure 3.1 Design Curves for Vryhof Stevin Mk3[7]

Figure 3.2 Design Curves for Vryhof Stevpris Mk5[7]

Figure 3.3 Design Curves for Vryhof Stevpris Mk6[7]

3.2 Bruce Anchors

Table 3.2 Design Equations for Bruce Drag Anchors

Metric Unit US Customary Unit

Figure 3.4 Design Curves for Bruce FFTS Mk4 [5]

Figure 3.5 Design Curves for Bruce PM Anchor [6]

Figure 3.6 Design Curves for Bruce FFTS GP Anchor [4]

3.3 Drag Anchor Data in API RP 2SK

4 Vertically Loaded Anchor (VLA) Design Data

4.1 Vryhof Stevmanta VLA

Figure 4.1 Vryhof Stevmanta VLA[7]

Figure 4.2 Vryhof Stevmant VLA Design Curves

Metric Unit US Customary Unit Metric Unit US Customary Unit

4.2 Bruce Dennla VLA

Figure 4.3 Bruce Dennla VLA [2]

5 Pile Anchor Design Data

5.1 Pile Anchor Design Approach

5.1.1 Design Cases

Table 5.1 Pile Anchor Design Cases