Numerical Study of Behavior of Anchor Plates in Clayey Soils

This paper presents numerical models and mathematical formulations to predict the pullout capacity of anchor plates with different inclination angles embedded in clay. The models were developed based on the failure mechanism deduced from laboratory testing and utilize the Mohr-Coulomb yielding criteria. Expression was given to estimate the maximum pullout resistance of plates with different dimensions and inclination angles embedded in various clayey soils. A comparison between results of finite-element analyses has been performed to find out the effect of different parameters. New two-variable functions have been presented to show the relationship between pullout resistance and embedment ratio with different inclination angles. In addition, an interesting relationship among pullout capacities of anchor plates at different inclination angles was found, and a new concept, ellipse of pullout capacity, has been pronounced. Finally, a new theory has been introduced to predict the pullout capacity of any anchor plates with different inclination angles and various depths, without any computer analysis and just by using the new proposed theory.