Question 3459 Deck General

70% to pass

The tension on an anchor cable increases so that the angle of the catenary to the seabed at the anchor reaches 10 degrees. How will this affect the anchor in sandy soil?

A It will have no effect.
B It will cause the anchor to snag.
C It will increase the holding power.
D It will reduce the holding power.
AI Explanation

The correct answer is D) It will reduce the holding power. When the angle of the catenary (the curve of the anchor cable) to the seabed at the anchor reaches 10 degrees, it indicates that the tension on the anchor cable has increased. In sandy soil, this increased tension will cause the anchor to start sliding or rotating, which reduces its holding power. The more vertical the pull on the anchor, the better it can resist being pulled out of the seafloor. As the angle approaches 10 degrees, the anchor's ability to resist being pulled out decreases. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) The increased tension will affect the anchor's holding power. B) Increased tension does not cause the anchor to snag, it reduces the holding power. C) Increased tension actually reduces the holding power in sandy soil, it does not increase it.

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