Development of centrifuge experimental system for suction anchor and chain of catenary mooring

Abstract

A centrifuge experimental system is developed to simulate suction anchor-chain system, and to analyze the performance of suction anchor as well as the interaction between suction anchor and chain. In the experimental system, suction anchor model is connected to model chain and pulled out by the model chain to simulate realistic loading conditions of catenary mooring. The loading system is equipped with a pulley to control the angle of the chain at both the pad-eye on the anchor and seabed. The holding resistances of the suction anchor and chain are separately measured and analyzed.