Towards a simple and reliable method for calculating the uplift capacity of plate anchors in sand

Abstract

This paper investigates the uplift capacity of horizontal plate anchors in sand through finite element analyses and centrifuge experiments. Finite element simulations adopt a sophisticated bounding surface plasticity model that accounts for stress and density dependent behaviour, as well as loading and fabric related anisotropic effects in sands. Failure mechanisms at peak anchor capacity show that failure occurs progressively, with a marked decrease in mobilised friction angle within the shear bands close to the anchor edge. Numerical simulations of a large set of centrifuge experiments on rectangular, strip and circular plates at different relative densities and stress levels are in good agreement for dense conditions, but perform poorer for loose conditions due mainly to the open cone yield surface in the bounding surface model. Equivalent comparisons with current limit equilibrium methods highlight the challenges in direct application of element level strength equations. Finally, the paper proposes a modified limit equilibrium solution based on a ‘rigid-block’ failure mechanism extending to soil surface, but with anchor factors that encompass the results from the finite element simulations. The modified solution provides a higher level of agreement with results from a large database of plate and pipeline test data than existing limit equilibrium methods.