Interaction of Anchors with Soil and Anchor Design

Marine Benthic Habitats and Seabed Suitability Mapping for Potential Ocean Current Energy Siting Offshore Southeast Florida

“…The report specifies that gravelly sediment such as boulders, rubble, and cobble is generally unfavorable for OCE devices and determines that sand is the most appropriate seabed substrate for OCE development [12]. Anchoring studies related to marine hydrokinetic energy [16][17][18][19] specify that clays, mud, sand, and glacial till can be considered functional substrates for many MRE anchor types. However, these studies consistently highlight the importance of sand properties which outperform mud and clay in anchoring studies [12,[16][17][18][19].…”

“…Anchoring studies related to marine hydrokinetic energy [16][17][18][19] specify that clays, mud, sand, and glacial till can be considered functional substrates for many MRE anchor types. However, these studies consistently highlight the importance of sand properties which outperform mud and clay in anchoring studies [12,[16][17][18][19]. Sedimentology studies differentiate sand substrates from fine-grained (e.g., mud or clay) and large-grained (e.g., gravel or glacial till) sediments for their varying compatibility with OCE anchoring [18][19][20].…”

“…Seafloor substrates that represent a mixture of ooze, sand, mud, silt and clay were given a suitability score of 3 (less suitable). Several studies have indicated that fine-grained sediments are prone to disturbance and turbidity and therefore less suitable for OCE anchoring [11,[16][17][18][19]. Once disturbed, they take longer periods of time to settle and because of their fine grain texture they remain suspended in the water column long enough to be carried over larger areas by the ocean currents [11].…”

“…Soft bottom refers to unconsolidated sediments or loose sand and is considered the most suitable substrate for OCE anchors, cables, and moorings [12,[15][16][17][18][19][20]. Therefore, the categories identified as "sediment" and "sand" were given a suitability score of 5 as they are potentially most suitable for OCE deployment.…”

Mitigating the environmental effects of mariculture through single-point moorings (SPMs) and drifting cages

“…A dead-weight anchor may be used but attention must be given to prevent fouling of the mooring cable under the anchor, particularly if scouring is likely. A pile or a helical anchor may be advantageous if the sediment allows (Taylor, 1991). The use of a cluster of opposing drag-embedment anchors can also be considered, but, again, anchor-cable fouling may present a risk.…”