Visualization of torpedo pile penetration and pullout in transparent synthetic soil representative of soft marine clays

Abdelaziz Ads, Mehdi Omidvar, Stephan Bless, Magued Iskander

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Fluked (aka finned) torpedo anchors are increasingly being used for tethering of offshore structures. In this study, the effect of the torpedo fluke length on penetration and pullout capacity was explored. Three model torpedoes of equal mass having different fluke shapes were installed in a synthetic transparent soil surrogate used to model soft clay. Images acquired during embedment and extraction provided data for digital image correlation (DIC), from which time-resolved data for anchor movement and soil displacements were obtained. Pullout loads were also measured. The affected zones around the anchors during penetration and pullout were found to be approximately four times the shaft diameter, and were larger where flukes were present. Increasing the fluke dimensions decreased penetration but increased peak pullout loads. Results suggest that the area of the leading and trailing edges of the flukes is responsible for both decreased penetration and elevated pullout capacity for fluked torpedoes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeotechnical Special Publication
EditorsChristopher L. Meehan, Sanjeev Kumar, Miguel A. Pando, Joseph T. Coe
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages387-397
Number of pages11
EditionGSP 307
ISBN (Electronic)9780784482094
ISBN (Print)9780784482094
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event8th International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering: Foundations, Geo-Congress 2019 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: Mar 24 2019Mar 27 2019

Publication series

NameGeotechnical Special Publication
NumberGSP 307
Volume2019-March
ISSN (Print)0895-0563

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering: Foundations, Geo-Congress 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period3/24/193/27/19

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Building and Construction
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Visualization of torpedo pile penetration and pullout in transparent synthetic soil representative of soft marine clays'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this