Experimental Analysis of Anchor Piles Stability for Deepwater Oil and Gas Platform Tension Mooring

Summary This study experimentally investigates the influence of key parameters—anchor pile diameter, length, mooring angle between cable and mudline, mooring point height, and initial cable tension—on the stability of deepwater mooring anchor piles. The experimental results show good agreement with theoretical predictions, confirming the reliability of the physical modeling and enhancing the understanding of anchor behavior under tension mooring conditions. The results show that increasing the diameter and length of anchor piles enhances soil interaction and bearing capacity, with large diameters occasionally exhibiting two embedded ends. The mooring angle significantly affects stability: larger angles improve resistance to overturning but may compromise vertical stability, while smaller angles have the opposite effect. Optimal stability was observed at mooring angles between 35° and 40°. Lower mooring point heights effectively resist horizontal forces but may induce stress concentrations in deeper soils; higher mooring points reduce horizontal resistance. Furthermore, the initial mooring tension impacts the force transmission path and surrounding soil response. These findings offer experimental validation and design insights for improving the reliability of anchor pile systems in deep-sea oil, gas, hydrate exploration, and floating wind energy platforms.