Pullout capacity of slab anchors in sand

Abstract

The pullout capacity of slab anchors in homogeneous sand depends on several factors including the type and density of the sand, and the depth, size, inclination, and shape of the slab. Although numerous publications have reported results of pullout tests on small models and prototypes, the investigations described have generally been limited to a study of the effects of one or two of the above factors, and no attempt has been made to develop an integrated approach to the problem. This paper presents such an approach by reanalyzing the results of published experimental data as well as those of a series of pullout tests performed on prototype slabs placed at various inclinations and depths in a dense sand profile. A simple theoretical expression is found to reasonably predict the pullout capacity of a continuous, horizontal slab as a function of depth-to-width ratio. Factors to account for shape, and inclination, are then established leading to expressions for the estimation of pullout capacity of any slab anchor. Key words: anchors, field tests, model tests, pullout capacity, sand, slabs, plates.