PULLOUT RESISTANCE OF HIGH-VOLTAGE STRENGTHENED GROUND ANCHORS

Pullout resistance of ground anchor models embedded in a marine sedime nt was tested after high-voltage treatment through electrically insula ted electrode poles inserted in the soil. The effects of the applied v oltage, insulation thickness, and electrode arrangement are evaluated through an experimental program. It was evidenced that pullout resista nce of embedded steel plates and aluminium tubes was increased up to 6 6% after sustained application of high voltages ranging from 7 to 30 k V for 6 to 14 days.