Abstract: Laboratory model tests were conducted to study the movement of ground anchor and its surrounding soils under the uplifting load. An anchor-plate theory is proposed base based on the test results. The anchor-plate effect is the interaction between the anchor plate and the anchor in the sandy soils. The results indicate that, the peak uplift resistance is not simply the summation of the resistances of the anchor plate and the grouted shaft of the anchor. Under shallow embedment condition in loose sand, the ultimate resistance of the plated ground anchor is 149% of the ultimate capacity of anchor plate or anchor shaft alone. Under the deep embedment in dense sand, the ultimate capacity of the plated anchor is only 93% of the single component resistance from the anchor or shaft. It is therefore indicated that the relative density of the sand, and the plate embedment depth have significant influence on the plated ground anchor uplift resistance and the interaction of both factors are important.

Key words: anchor-plate effect, experimental study, ultimate uplift capacity, ground anchors