Vertical uplift resistance of close-spaced shallow rectangular group anchor plates embedded in sand

Abstract

This study describes an analytical solution for determining the ultimate vertical uplift resistance of a group of two and multiple number of close-spaced shallow rectangular anchor plates embedded horizontally in sand. The analysis was performed by using an upper bound theorem of limit analysis with the employment of the kinematically admissible three-dimensional (3D) rigid wedge collapse mechanisms. Results are obtained in terms of dimensionless uplift factors F_γ and F_q due to the components of soil self-weight and surcharge pressure acting on the ground surface for a wide range of parameters. It was found that the magnitude of uplift factors decreases substantially with a decrease in the clear spacing between the anchors, soil friction angle, and embedment ratio, and an increase in the aspect ratio of anchors. Further, it was noticed that when the clear spacing between the anchors is greater than or equal to the certain critical value, the interaction effect of anchors vanishes and the magnitude of uplift factors associated with a group of anchors becomes equal to that of single isolated anchors. The present solutions are found to compare reasonably well with those theoretical, numerical, and experimental results available in the literature.