Centrifuge Model Study on Inclined Pullout Behavior of Square Plate Anchors in Normally Consolidated Clay

Abstract The inclined pull-out behavior of square plate anchors embedded in normally consolidated clay is presented in this paper. A series of centrifuge model tests have been performed to simulate plate anchor extraction process. Clay sample was prepared under self-weight during centrifuge spinning, where soil undrained shear strength increases linearly with depth, simulating the typical soil strength profile in offshore environment. Pre-embedded plate anchor was pulled out with displacement and resistance measured. Anchor capacity is quantified and presented in the form of capacity factor. The effect of anchor embedment ratio (the ratio of embedment depth to anchor width) and pullout inclination on capacity factor is investigated.