AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SOIL MECHANICS OF LAND ANCHORS

Prediction equations are developed and evaluated to estimate the maxim um sustainable pull and the form of penetration of land anchors. The t heories for estimating the pattern of penetration and maximum sustaina ble anchor force compare well with the measured results in five contra sting soil conditions. The maximum and mean error between the predicte d and measured maximum anchor force were 13% and 8%, respectively, rep resenting an over-prediction of force in both cases. The correlation c oefficient between the maximum anchor force and the mean values of soi l shear strength, obtained using the cone index and shear vane were 0. 86 and 0.85 respectively indicating that both the cone penetrometer an d shear vane are valuable for in-field prediction of maximum anchor fo rces in both dry frictional and plastic clay soils. (C) 1996 Silsoe Re search Institute.