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

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.