Ancoratge

Ancoratge is the act or system of anchoring, securing a vessel, structure, or object to a fixed point to resist movement. The term is used in Catalan and is commonly translated as anchoring or anchorage in English. It encompasses maritime moorings, offshore installations, and structural anchor systems used in construction and geology.

In maritime contexts, ancoratge involves placing anchors on the seabed and securing a mooring line or chain. The arrangement depends on depth, seabed type, and weather conditions. Common anchor types include fluke or mushroom anchors for soft bottoms, stockless or plough anchors for mixed bottoms, and grapnels for temporary holds or salvage. The effectiveness of an anchoring system depends on the anchor’s size, the length of the rode (scope), seabed interaction, and environmental loads from wind, waves, and currents. After setting, operators monitor tension and the vessel’s swing to ensure the anchor holds.

In structural and civil engineering, ancoratge refers to anchoring systems that fix components to substrates. This includes anchor bolts and expansion or chemical anchors in concrete, as well as rock bolts and cable anchors used for slope stabilization, façade attachment, or offshore structures. Selection depends on substrate, load requirements, and durability considerations.

Maintenance and safety follow regular inspections for corrosion, wear, and looseness, with replacement or repositioning as needed. Design and installation generally adhere to industry standards and best practices to ensure reliability under expected loading.

Etymology: the Catalan term derives from the concept of fixing or securing, and is used across maritime, civil, and geotechnical contexts.