A finite element analysis of the integrated soil and anchor structure when subjected to loading from the inclined anchor chain was performed using the FEM program ABAQUS. Both total and effective stress analyses were carried out.

Some main objectives of the analyses were to:

 1.  Establish load deflection curves of the anchor when subjected to different load paths. This includes determination of deformation and failure patterns.

 2.  Assess the stress/strain state in the steel and soil at critical load situations.

 3.    Study the long-term effects of soil consolidation.

Several load states have been studied for different time durations after loading.

The DPA™ anchor consists of a central vertical shank and four fins or flukes. Its geometry requires modeling the steel and soil in 3D space where the chain load will have a certain angle at the attachment point depending on load intensity, load angle at the seabed and soil conditions for a given anchor penetration depth.

As the load lies in some direction in a vertical plane that goes through the the anchor axis of symmetry, symmetry allows for modeling half the anchor and soil volume. However, the horizontal component of the load may have any direction relative to the orientation of the flukes (heading angle). The integrated behavior may be different for different heading angles. During the course of development, however, it became clear that the impact that the heading angle has on the overall anchor performance is negligible.