Systematic Compilation of Experimental Data on Torpedo Anchor Penetration in Clay

Torpedo anchor is an attractive anchoring solution for floating offshore structures due to their rapid free-fall installation and low offshore construction demand, yet accurate prediction of their penetration depth in clay seabeds remains a key design challenge. The installation process involves high impact velocities and large strain rates, leading to complex soil–structure interactions that are not easily captured by conventional design approaches. Although numerous experimental studies have been conducted over the past two decades, the available evidence is scattered across field tests, centrifuge experiments, and 1g laboratory model tests, limiting systematic comparison and data-driven analysis. This paper presents a comprehensive review and systematic compilation of experimental data on torpedo anchor penetration in clay, restricted to physical experiments. Existing theoretical and semi-empirical prediction methods are reviewed to identify key governing parameters, including anchor geometry, impact velocity, undrained shear strength profiles, and strain-rate effects. A experimental database is assembled to unify multi-scale test results, highlight consistent trends, and reveal gaps in current knowledge. The compiled dataset provides a transparent benchmark for evaluating design methods and establishes a foundation for future machine-learning and data-driven approaches to torpedo anchor design in offshore engineering applications.