Pullout Response of the Pre-displacement Bladed Anchor in Cohesionless Soil

Abstract

This study presents a new alternative technique, the pre-displacement pile, which aims to improve the uplift capacity of the regular pile. This modified pile intends to offer a bearing area underneath the sand during uplift using the blades. This method does not hinder the piles from being driven or penetrated the ground. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the uplift response of the modified anchor. The influence of the number of blades, the loading rate, and the relative density of the sand on the uplift capacity of the anchor pile with blades is studied. The ultimate pullout response of the pre-displacement anchor implanted in sand improves with an increase in blade number and loading rate. The percentage improvement in the pullout load for the anchor with four blades and a loading rate of 1 mm/s was (301%, 289%, and 249%) at sand relative densities of (30%, 50%, and 80%), respectively, compared to the unbladed pile. The existence of blades led to the creation of an ideal anchoring system. This piling modification is practical, suitable for marine projects, and easy to install for offshore applications.