An Experimental Study on Uplift Capacity of Axisymmetric Plate Anchors in Well Graded Sand at Different Relative Density and Embedment Ratio

Abstract Earth anchors of different types are used in various geotechnical applications to provide uplift resistance and structural stability against axial and lateral forces. Earth anchors are primarily designed to resist pull-out force. The pull-out resistance depends upon various factors such as anchor type, the shape of an anchor, direction of application of pull-out force, density of soil, etc. Various theoretical development occurred in the past few decades where the above factors are considered in a different quantitative manner. The present study aims to compare the theoretical development of different theories for horizontal plate anchors and the influence of the factors contributing to uplift resistance by both analytical and theoretical methods. The comparative summary is provided for respective analytical methods and factors considered to calculate uplift resistance. Scaled model test performed on circular axisymmetric horizontal plate anchor in cohesionless soil. Uplift load versus embedment ratio was analyzed for different theoretical methods. The analytical results were compared to both experimental and Plaxis 2D software results. The Plaxis 2D gives the most conservative results and Down and Cheiurzzi propose the highest uplift load for the same embedment ratio. Finally, the relationship between the angle of internal friction (ϕ) to uplift cone angle (θ) is proposed for the type of soil used in this study for two different plate sizes. Results of the Experimental Laboratory Test show that Uplift Load (Qu) increases with increased Embedment Depth and Relative Density. Analytical theories like Meyerhof& Adams, Downs & Chieurzzi, Saeedy’s & Balla’s gave nearer higher values whereas Veesaert & Clemence’s gave nearer low Uplift Load (Qu)compared with Experimental ones. For F.E.M-based software Plaxis (2D) gave lower Uplift Load (Qu) than Experimental ones.