Centrifuge apparatus for modelling helical anchor response under snatch loads

Helical anchors have potential to provide the offshore industry with an economically competitive method to found renewable infrastructure. For offshore floating devices, snatch events can occur when a slack tether of the buoyant body becomes suddenly taut. Estimation of the capacity of the anchor during these dynamic events is needed to ensure reliable geotechnical design. This paper presents a pioneering experimental investigation into the soil deformation around shallow embedded helical anchors under snatch events using high-speed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements in the centrifuge environment. Preliminary findings help to understand the additional capacity of the foundation system observed under dynamic loading.