Uplift behaviour of horizontal anchor plates in sands

Abstract

In this research a series of anchor pull out test are performed in the laboratory. These tests are done using various types of sand at different density. In this project work, three types of sands have been collected locally. These soils have been characterised in the laboratory. Anchor shape and size as well as depth of embedment of anchor are also varied during carrying out the model test. Pullout load is applied on the horizontal anchor plate by an incremental manner. The load is transmitted through a smooth wire attached to the anchor piates. Vertical movements of the anchor plate after each load increment is measured. Loads are applied in incremental manner till failures are observed. The load-displacement behaviour of anchor plates, variation of displacement with embedment ratio, variation of breakout factor with embedment ratio and anchor size and shapes have also been studied. The results of model tests are compared with various theoretical analyses. From the test results, it has been observed that the load-displacement behaviour of anchor plates is consistent with most of the similar investigations (Dickin,1988; Kulhawy et al. 1987; Rowe and Davies 1982). Failure modes of the anchors observed are fully consistent with almost all the available similar tests (Dickin,1988; Rowe and Davies 1982; Kulhawy et al. 1987; Ghaly and Hanna, 1994). Variations of breakout factor and displacement with embedment ratio also qualitatively satisfy most of the theoretical observations (Ghaly and Hanna, 1994; Clemence et aI, 1977) and similar test results.