Uplift Behavior of horizontal anchor plates buried in geosynthetic reinforced slopes

Uplift behavior of horizontal anchor plates located near sandy earth slopes with and without geosynthetic reinforcement has been investigated in model tests. Several configurations of reinforcement layers were used to reinforce the sandy soil over anchor plates. Many factors, such as relative density of sand, embedment depths, and the location of the plate relative to the slope crest, along with geosynthetic parameters including size, type, number of layers, and the proximity of the layer to the plate have been studied in a scale model. The failure mechanism and the associated rupture surface were observed and discussed. Test results showed that using geosynthetic reinforcement has a significant effect in improving the uplift capacity of the anchorage plate. However, it was found that inclusion of one layer that is placed resting directly on top of the anchor plate was more effective in enhancing the anchor capacity than reinforcing the slope itself. Based on test results, critical values were discussed and recommended, but should be validated in full-scale or centrifugal model tests.