GROUND ANCHORS

1. Definitions
A ground anchor is a load transfer system designed to transfer the forces applied to it to a competent stratum. An
anchor is generally said to be temporary if it has a lifespan of under 18 months and permanent if the lifespan is over
18 months.

An anchor comprises three parts:

- The head, transmitting the anchor force to the structure via the bearing plate.
- The free length of tendon, from the head to the near extremity of the bond length.
- The bond length, which is the length of tendon through which the tensile force is transmitted to the surrounding
ground through the bond grout.

Le: External section

Lst: Bond length to ground

Llt: Free length to ground

Lsa: Bond length of tendon

Lla: Free length of tendon

At: Tendon cross-section

There are "active" and "passive" soil anchors:

- A passive anchor is only tensioned by the structure - An active anchor is pre-tensioned, which reduces
itself applying load to it. It does not usually have a free displacement of the structure. The armature is usually
length. Generally speaking, the armature consists of a made of steel cables as used for pre-stressing.
steel bar or sometimes a bar of composite material.

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