DFI Journal - The Journal of the Deep Foundations Institute
Volume 20, Issue 1, August 2026
DOI: 10.37308/DFIJnl.20251111.338
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Investigation of Vibratory Hammer Installation for Deeply Embedded Ring Anchor System in Sand
Article Type: Research Paper
S. Qin, J. Lee, & C. Aubeny
Abstract
Anchors for floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) must withstand significant loads under extreme weather conditions and in a variety of soil types. However, most existing anchor systems rely on a single installation method, which may not be effective in heterogeneous seabed conditions. To address this limitation, the Deeply Embedded Ring Anchor (DERA) has been developed. A key innovation of the DERA is its integration of a follower component, which enhances geotechnical efficiency and reduces material usage by enabling deeper embedment. In particular, vibratory installation presents a promising alternative when conventional methods fail to achieve sufficient penetration in sandy soils. A clear understanding of the follower’s installation and retrieval process using vibratory hammers is essential for its successful implementation in the DERA system. This study investigates the feasibility of using vibratory methods for both installation and extraction of the anchor-follower system. Finite element analysis and a custom-developed model are employed to estimate the required specifications of the vibratory hammer and to assess its ability to achieve the desired embedment depth.
Keywords:
vibratory hammer installation, ring anchor, finite element analysis, offshore wind