Prediction of Drag Anchor Trajectory Considering Both Shallow and Deep Anchor Behavior of Inclined Fluke

The prediction of drag anchor trajectory is key for the anchor design. The yield envelope method based on anchor behavior under combined loadings provided an alternative method for the prediction of anchor trajectory. The traditional yield envelope method based on deep anchor behavior ignored the shallow anchor behavior that occurred during installation from shallow depth to deep depth and may lead to unreliable trajectory prediction. The present work examines how the shallow behavior of an inclined fluke influences the predicted trajectory of drag anchors. An example case was used to investigate the effects of soil non-homogeneity and anchor–soil interface friction on the predicted trajectory of drag anchors. The trajectory of another case of practical drag anchor is also predicted and compared to the existing centrifuge results. The results indicate that the prediction results are largely influenced by the selected interface friction condition and the bearing capacity factor. Incorporating both shallow and deep behaviors of inclined flukes leads to a more accurate description of anchor trajectory. Recommendations on the new method of drag anchor trajectory prediction, considering both shallow and deep anchor behavior, are proposed for a reliable trajectory prediction.