How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

POST GROUTED TECHNIQUES, A SOLUTION FOR ANCHORS

Veloso, Goncalo A. – Geotechnical Engineer

• Introduction
• S.B.M.A. Technology
• Post grouting Techniques and Design
• Investigation Tests Results
• Applications
How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

When permanent anchorages are required on a retaining structure, the first

concerns for the geotechnical engineer are the ground conditions and the
anchor achievable capacity
How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

We design our anchors based on the existing ground properties, not the
strand capacity

• S.B.M.A. – Single Bore Multiple Anchor system

Can provide double the capacity of conventional anchors
How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• POST GROUTING TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN

As an alternative to conventional grouting techniques, anchors can be designed
using post grouting techniques, enabling the enhancement of the properties of
the soils and therefore increasing the capacity of the anchorages system
Insert anchor strands together
Drill Borehole Grout up Borehole with a post grouting pipe with
“manchetes” (TAM)

4 – 8 Hours
Later

Pre-stress Post Grouting Post Grouting

Conclusion 2nd Stage 1st Stage
7 days after 4 – 8 Hours
Repeat if Later
required
How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• POST GROUTING TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN

The design of a ground anchor in cohesive soils is done using the following
equation (Littlejohn, 1970) :

Tf = π x D x L x α x Cu
Tf - Working Load

α = 0.45
D - Borehole Diameter
L - Fixed anchor length
α - Adhesion factor
Cu - Average undrained shear strength over fixed length
This means that with conventional grouting techniques in cohesive soils,
less than half the clays undrained shear strength is mobilized in tension.
How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• POST GROUTING TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN

The design of a ground anchor in cohesive soils is done using the following
equation (Littlejohn, 1970) :

Tf = π x D x L x α x Cu
After post grouting

α = 1.4 to 3
This means that with post grouting techniques in cohesive soils, we can
enhance the working capacity of anchors up to 3 times or more a
conventionally grouted anchor.
How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• POST GROUTING TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN

Post Grouting effect:

How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• POST GROUTING TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN

Post Grouting effect:

Enlarged fixed length diameter by post grouting

How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• POST GROUTING TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN

Post Grouting effect:

Post Grouted fissures in stiff Clay

How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• POST GROUTING TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN

Post Grouting effect:

Section of exhumed post grouted anchor

How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• POST GROUTING TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN

Post Grouting effect:

Borehole Diam = 150mm

Max. Diam. After post

grouting = 210mm

Section of exhumed post grouted anchor

How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• INVESTIGATION TESTS RESULTS

Earlier this year were carried out investigation tests, to determine the
behaviour of post grouted S.B.M.A. anchors compared to conventionally
grouted S.B.M.A.’s and determine the enhancement achieved by the use of
these techniques.
How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• INVESTIGATION TESTS RESULTS

The results exceeded our expectations and the following results were
obtained:

For conventionally grouted S.B.M.A anchors

Average bond stress mobilized:
Up to 150 kN/m2

For Post grouted S.B.M.A. anchors

Average bond stress mobilized:
up to 450 kN/m2
How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

• APPLICATIONS

-Installation of anchors in poor ground conditions

-Reduce the number of anchors on a project by proposing to the client
higher loads and larger spacing between anchors
-Reduce the overall length of the anchor when space restrictions exist
How to Enhance Ground Anchors Capacity in Soft Soils

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

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