Computations of Seismic Passive Resistance and Uplift Capacity of Horizontal Strip Anchors in Sand

Abstract

In this paper, the limit equilibrium method is used to compute seismic passive earth pressure coefficients and the vertical uplift capacity of horizontal strip anchors in presence of both horizontal and vertical pseudo-static earthquake forces. By considering a simple planar failure surface, distribution of soil reaction is obtained through the use of Kotter’s equation. Presence of pseudo-static seismic forces induces a considerable reduction in the seismic passive earth pressure coefficients. The reduction in seismic passive earth pressure coefficients increases with increase in magnitude of the earthquake accelerations in both horizontal and vertical directions and with increase in wall friction angle. The vertical uplift capacity of horizontal strip anchor is obtained for various values of soil friction angle, embedment ratio and seismic acceleration coefficients in both horizontal and vertical directions by using rigorous computational optimization. Proper justification for selected value of wall friction angle is established. Results are presented in the form of non-dimensional breakout factor for anchor. A significant reduction in breakout factor is observed in presence of both the seismic acceleration coefficients whereas breakout factor increases with increase in soil friction angle and embedment ratio even under the seismic condition. Angles of failure planes keep changing with change in seismic acceleration coefficients and failure zone shifts towards the critical direction of seismic acceleration coefficients. Present results are compared and found in good agreement with some specific available results in literature.