The effect of soil reinforcement on pullout resistance of an existing vertical anchor plate in sand

The behavior of vertical anchor plates embedded in reinforced and non-reinforced cohesionless soil has been investigated with the help of small-scale model tests. Steel rods (model piles) with different lengths and diameters placed vertically or inclined at different locations relative to the anchor plate were used to reinforce the sand in front of both strip and square anchor plates. The considered parameters include pile length, pile diameter, pile spacing, position of pile row relative to the anchor plate and the inclination angle of the installed piles, the anchor embedment depth, the anchorage geometry and the relative density of sand. The test results indicate that this type of reinforcement significantly increases the stiffness of the soil and the pullout resistance of shallow anchor plates. Based on test results, critical values were discussed and recommended.