Enhancing load carrying performance of helical anchor with changes in load application point

Helical anchor is effective to support offshore structures as the installation is relatively fast and simple. The installation requires mooring lines, which need to be introduced to carry floating upper structures. The mooring configuration for helical anchor usually shows an inclined loading condition. In this study, the effect of load application point (z_p/L) and inclined loading condition on the load carrying mechanism of helical anchor is presented. The pullout capacity of helical anchor for different load inclination conditions is described considering changes in load application point. Optimal load application point, which leads to the largest load carrying capacity, is shown for various helical-anchor configurations. The pullout load carrying capacity of helical anchor became different depending on the position of load application point, which was similar to the case of suction anchors. The location of optimal load application point that maximized the pullout load capacity was presented.