MODE_VHM = 14 is similar to MODE_VHM = 12 (two Figures ago) but

is for “fixed head” caissons.

MODE_VHM = 12 calculated FOS in the MH plane for a known

geometry and MH loads. For MODE_VHM = 14, the caisson is fixed
(zero rotation) and the M load is not used. Hence, only H load is used
and MODE_VHM = 14 simply computes factors of safety relative to
Hmax, the maximum lateral resistance associated with caisson
geometry L, D. That is, factor of safety FOSHmax = Hmax / H.

Unlike MODE_VHM = 12, 13 and 15, neither 2D nor 3D plots can be

made.

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MODE_VHM = 15 is similar to MODE_VHM = 13 (two Figures ago) but
for “fixed head” caissons.

MODE_VHM = 13 calculated FOS in the VHM plane for a known

geometry and VHM loads. However, for MODE_VHM = 15, the caisson
is fixed and M load is not used. Hence, MODE_VHM = 15 finds factors
of safety using VH loads relative to the VHmax plane.

The inset graph shows a 2D V-Hmax diagram / envelope for a single

caisson, plus VH load data points. Like MODE_VHM = 13, data points
closest to the reistance envelope have the lowest FOS.

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MODE_VHM = 16 produces (for a given caisson geometry and ex),
conventional 2D VH diagrams, plus optional 3D VHM diagrams (see
insets).

Like MODE_VHM = 17 following, this is intended for a very preliminary

caisson design stage when no loads, only load eccentricity, is known.
Eccentricity values, expressed either as lateral eccentricity ex (= M/V)
or vertical eccentricity ez (= M/H), are input by Users.

Since VH diagrams are intersections of inclined near-vertical slices

passing through the H axis with the VHM envelope, they are
symmetrical with respect to both V and H, and only the first quadrant
(V, H>0) data are presented. In addition, for a fixed caisson geometry,
all VH diagrams pass through the data point Ho (free head) at zero V.
Hence, VH diagrams are not dissimilar to the well-known DNV (1992)
figure for near-surface foundations in clay.

MODE_VHM = 16 lateral eccentricity ex (= M/V) is less likely to be

used than MODE_VHM = 17 vertical eccentricity ez (= M/H) following.

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MODE_VHM = 17 produces VM diagrams for user-supplied values of
vertical eccentricity ez (M/H) and caisson geometries (L,D).

A typical scenario for using mode 17 is when a range of caisson

geometries have to be studied, plus the point of application of lateral H
above seafloor/caisson head (usually a function of water depth), is
known (i.e. vertical eccentricity ez). The output VM diagrams give
indicative moment resistance (both factored and unfactored, as
appropriate.

Like MODE_VHM = 16, VM diagrams are symmetrical and are only

plotted in one quadrant for positive V load. Unlike VH, VM diagrams
plot in quadrant 3 for negative ez values – this is due to restoring
(negative) M values at seafloor.

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MODE_VHM = 20 optimises anchor pile foundation geometry.
This mode finds optimum lug level zlug,opt,fix and associated length Lopt,fix
for a given pile diameter D and anchor chain profile.

Chain tension decreases and inclination increases with increasing

depth below seafloor mainly due to friction takeout. Embedded chain
profiles are automatically calculated using seafloor load and inclination.

The anchor pile is a “fixed head” caisson subjected to pure lateral

translation.This is like MODE_VHM = 11 shown previously. Plotted are
optimum lengths L, embedment ratios L/D and buoyant weights for 3 D
values and 3 load cases (intact, damaged and transient).

MODE_VHM = 22 and MODE_VHM = 23 following can be used for

various types of sensitivity analyses.

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MODE_VHM = 21 optimises anchor pile foundation geometry.
This mode is similar to MODE_VHM = 20 (previous Figure) but with
constant chain load and inclination.

The program again finds zlug,opt,fix and embedded length Lopt,fix for a
given diameter D and anchor Tlug, θlug load.

Above functionality is similar to public domain program FALL16 (OTRC,

2008) and proprietary program AGSPANC (AG, 2003) – but
CAISSON_VHM automatically finds the optimum caisson geometry.

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MODE_VHM = 22 is for sensitivity analyses of anchor pile
caissons.

For a fixed geometry (including lug level zlug) and load inclination θlug,
the corresponding anchor chain load Tlug is found.

There are many types of sensitivity studies available with MODE_VHM

= 22. Some possibilities are explored on the following three Figures.

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MODE_VHM = 22 is for sensitivity analyses of anchor pile
caissons.

The first type of sensitivity analysis assumes that the anchor chain
inclination is as designed, but lug level is not at optimum depth. If the
lug level is higher than optimum, the anchor pile rotates clockwise (at
failure). At deeper lug levels, the anchor pile rotates in the opposite
direction. In any case, Tlug reduces reduces (from the design value).

An example plot is given. Axes are H (normalised) versus zlug (again

normalised). Hence Np factors of around 10.5 and 3 for “fixed head”
and “free head” conditions respectively. This is similar to
AGSPANC/FALL16 capability.

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MODE_VHM = 22 is for sensitivity analyses of anchor pile
caissons.

The second type of sensitivity analysis is to make V-H diagrams.

This assumes that lug level zlug is as designed. Results are used to
investigate sensitivity of Tlug to θlug changes. If lug level is at optimum,
then a classic “fixed head” V – Hmax diagram is obtained.

This mode can also be used to investigate caisson tilt, whereby ∆θlug,
usually 50, is added to to θlug.
.

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MODE_VHM = 22 is for sensitivity analyses of anchor pile
caissons.

The previous two Figures were for constant caisson geometry.

The third type of sensitivity analysis uses variable geometry to

assess Tlug sensitivity to caisson over/under penetration. Analyses vary
embedded length L while keeping constant values of lug level height
above tip (L- zlug), and caisson diameter D.

This mode may be useful when recycling generic anchor piles, for
example start-up piles used for pipelay.

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MODE_VHM = 23 is also for sensitivity analyses of anchor pile
caissons. For a fixed caisson geometry (including lug level zlug) and
anchor chain profile, the corresponding FOS (resistance / load) on
anchor chain load Tlug is found.

Input includes a number of fixed caisson geometries (like MODE_VHM

= 22) together with seafloor chain loads and angles to automatically
compute the chain profiles below seafloor (like MODE_VHM = 20).
Caisson resistance at lug level zlug is compared with the factored
anchor chain load. Safety is defined as FOSTlug = caisson resistance
(unfactored) / chain load (factored). Inverse FOSTlug values (i.e.
1/FOSTlug) are similar to Unity Check used for structural stress.

MODE_VHM = 20 Lopt,fix and zlug,opt,fix values are both increased slightly

to lessen the risk of forward (clockwise) caisson rotation. Hence, a
typical MODE_VHM = 23 application is to verify FOSTlug ≥ 1 (i.e.
specified load factors λL are exceeded) for non-optimum caisson
geometries and multiple anchor chain load cases.

The next Figure gives details of how FOSTlug is derived.

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