Work

Visualization of Flap Length Effects on the Keying Process of Plate Anchors in Transparent Soil

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Suction embedded plate anchors (SEPLAs) are widely used in offshore engineering, but their keying process is often accompanied by embedment loss, which reduces the holding capacity. To minimize embedment loss, inwardly rotating keying flaps have been introduced, though their kinematics and effects on embedment loss remain insufficiently understood. In this study, transparent soil model tests, combined with particle image velocimetry (PIV), were conducted to directly visualize the keying behavior of SEPLAs with inwardly rotating keying flaps. Five anchor configurations were tested, including a reference model without flaps and four models with flap lengths ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 times the anchor breadth. The results show that inwardly rotating keying flaps significantly reduce embedment loss, with the configuration featuring a flap length of 0.4 times the anchor breadth exhibiting the optimal performance. The findings provide valuable insight into the influence of flap length on SEPLA keying behavior and embedment loss, offering practical guidance for optimizing flap design.

Source: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

DOI: 10.3390/jmse13122247

Authors: Chunhui Zhang, Xiaoming Zheng, Wenlong Zhang, Bowei Zhang, Zirong Liu

Institutions: Liaoning Technical University, Hebei University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province