Principles of Concept

The DPA™ is released freely from a predetermined height over the seabed in which gravity is used as the installation force. A 75ton DPA™ for example, dropped from a height of say 50 to 75 meters, will acquire a velocity of ca. 25-30 m/sec when it reaches the seafloor. At such velocities, deep penetrations are obtainable into stiffer lower lying seabed sediments depending on their strength and deformation characteristics.  The DPA™ concept is built on the following principles: 

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In comparison to alternative solutions, DPA™ offers the following advantages:

  • No external energy required for installation
  • Greater weather window than comparable suction anchors solutions
  • No orientation requirements, i.e. can be loaded in any direction
  • Precise horizontal positioning
  • Quick installation
  • Applicable for taut leg mooring
  • Low sensitivity to increasing water depth
  • No restriction regarding water depth, i.e. no electrical cables, pump skids, etc.
  • No proof loading required
  • Only one failure mode to analyze
  • More cost-effective with respect to fabrication and marine operations than comparable alternative solutions
 

The DPA™ concept is built on the following principles: 

  • Very large kinetic energy made available through freefall, which «shoots» the anchor into the seabed. No external energy source is therefore required e.g. no proof loading necessary.
  • Optimum fluid dynamic design to achieve a high freefall velocity and non-rotational stability.
  • The anchor design takes advantage of the fact that most deep-water soil sediments have significantly reduced undrained shear strength in a remolded state (during penetration) than after consolidation is complete i.e. when excess pore water pressure has dissipated.
 
Due to the anchor’s low cross-section area, hydrodynamic forces are limited when lowering through the splash zone and water column and therefore installation is not as weather sensitive as other anchor types may be.