374 CAN. GEOTECH. J. VOL.

25, 1988

fracture zones as were found in holes H 12, H 12A, and H13 1987), engineers, and geologists working on the design of sur-
(Fig. 2). However, at shallow depths there seems to be a more face and subsurface storage and containment facilities.
frequent occurrence of singular fractures and very thin fracture
zones. Figure 4 shows the seismic-reflection profile for this Acknowledgements
site. The reflections seen on this profile suggest the possibility We wish to thank Don Steeples and the University of Kansas
of three to five poorly developed fracture zones at less than for their help in collecting and reducing the seismic data.
0.10 s double travel time, but the lack of velocity data does not
allow a correlation. B. A , , STEEPLES,
BIRKELO, D. W., MILLER,R. E., and
SOPHOCLEOWS,
M. A. 1987. Shallow seismic reflection study of an
unconfined acquifer during a pumping test. Ground Water, 25(6):
Conclusions 703 -709.
At the two sites investigated, the shallow seismic-reflection MAYNE, W. H. 1962. Common reflection point horizontal data stack-
Can. Geotech. J. Downloaded from www.nrcresearchpress.com by Santa Cruz (UCSC) on 10/22/14

technique has been shown to be a useful tool for locating or
indicating near-surface fracture zones, as well as their extent
and geometry in a relatively homogeneous rock such as the
Pierre Shale in South Dakota. Not only are the fracture zones
accurately located, but also the dip, extent, thickness, and
nature of the beds are reasonably well determined. Such infor-
mation is extremely useful to hydrologists (Birkelo et al.
For personal use only.
ing techniques. Geophysics, 27(6), pt. 2: 927 -938.
NICHOLS, T. C., JR.,and COLLINS, D. S. 1986. In situ and laboratory
geotechnical tests in the Pierre Shale near Hayes, South Dakota.
United States Geological Survey, Open-file 86-152.
NICHOLS, T. C., JR.,COLLINS, D. S., and DAVIDSON, R. R. 1986.
In situ and laboratory geotechnical tests of the Pierre Shale near
Hayes, South Dakota-A characterization of engineering behavior.
Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 23: 181 - 194.

Cyclic behaviour of plate anchors

D. A. PONNIAH
Department of Civil Engineering and Building Science, University of Edinburgh, The Kings Buildings, Edinburgh
EH9 3JL, Scotland
AND

T. W. FINLAY
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Glasgow, Rankine Building, Glasgow GI2 8LT, Scotland
Received April 9, 1987
Accepted December 10, 1987

This note describes a series of tests canied out on plate anchors embedded in a normally consolidated cohesive soil and
subjected to long-term cyclic loads. The principle parameters in the cyclic testing were the mean load and the cyclic amplitude
+
of load about the mean. The tests demonstrated that the anchors did not fail when load cycled up to 50 20% of the drained
ultimate pull-out capacity, with the anchor displacements being associated with the buildup and dissipation of pore pressure.
With recycling, the level of loading without failure could be increased to 70 f 20% of the drained capacity.
Key words: anchors, cycling, clay.
Cet article dCcrit une sCrie d'essais effectuCs sur des plaques d'ancrage enfouies dans un sol coherent normalement
consolidC, et assujetties i des charges cycliques i long terme. Les principaux paramktres des essais cycliques Ctaient la charge
moyenne et l'amplitude d'oscillation de la charge autour de la moyenne. Les essais ont dCmontrC que la rupture n'etait pas
+
atteinte lorsque la charge oscillait jusqu'a 50 20% de la resistance i l'arrachement ultime drainCe, alors que les dCplace-
ments Ctaient favorisCs par la gCnCration et la dissipation de la pression interstitielle. Au cours d'un nouveau chargement
cyclique, le niveau de chargement pouvait &tre accru jusqu'i 70 + 20% de la rbsistance drainCe sans que la rupture se
produise.
Mots clgs : ancrages, chargement cyclique, argile.
[Traduit par la revue]

Can. Geotech. J. 25, 374-381 (1988)

Introduction necessitated the introduction of new technology into offshore

Until the mid-1970's, nearly all offshore structures were
supported on the seabed through large gravity bases or bearing
piles. The need for cheaper and alternative designs and the
progress of oil and gas exploration to deeper waters have
Printed in Canada i 11iiprirnCau Canada
engineering, in particular the use of tension foundations for
offshore platforms. This interest had led to research effort into
the uncertain aspects of tension foundations, such as the long-
term holding capacity of the tension foundation; the model

PRESSURE GAUGE
ANCHOR
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FIG. 1. Schematic layout of consolidation tank.
For personal use only.
study described in this note is such an investigation for
bearing-type anchors. Anchors have been used extensively
onshore and have proved successful for many applications,
such as tethering transmission towers or providing resistance to
compression pile testing. The designs have been found to be
satisfactory through the combination of the use of high factors
of safety and full-scale in situ testing. While this has been ade-
quate for onshore work, extensions of the applications of the
bearing type of anchor to offshore environments necessitate a
further appraisal of the design techniques, for four main
reasons:
(i) The magnitude and durations of the fluctuating or cyclic
loads are higher than those catered for on land.
(ii) The serviceable life of the anchor may extend up to 30
years in harsh environments.
(iii) Remedial measures or repair are more difficult.
(iv) The effects of failure can be catastrophic, particularly in
terms of human life.
The loads that may be expected to be applied to an anchor by
the buoyant superstructure are a sustained pull or tension and a
superimposed fluctuating load. This fluctuating or cyclic load
is due to the rocking and bobbing motion of the superstructure
caused by the motion of the wind and waves past it. Under
storm conditions, these loads are significant, and may lead to
failure of the anchors.
In the onshore environment, anchors have been extensively
used with confidence, owing to the ability to obtain good soil
data for design and the possibility of in situ anchor tests, with
relatively simple remedial measures if required. In contrast, in
an offshore application, the anchor-a critical component of
the structure throughout its use-is designed on less certain soil
information and any unexpected behaviour is either extremely
costly to remedy or even catastrophic. Hence the relevance and
importance of this anchor study.
The interaction of the anchor and the soil, and the resulting
restraint, is a function of the anchor type, the soil, and the type
of loading. The response of anchors to the two types of
LEGEND
(?)
\
REGULATOR
ER MAINS
loading, whether static or cyclic, is influenced by the excess
pore-water pressures mobilized in the soil. In cohesionless
soils, these excess pore pressures are dissipated within a short
time, and do not significantly affect the long-term cyclic
behaviour of the anchor. In cohesive soil where the coefficient
of permeability is much smaller, the excess pore pressures are
sustained for a longer time, resulting in different behaviour
patterns for short- and long-term cyclic loading.
The test results given here describe an experimental model
investigation carried out by Ponniah (1984) into the long-term
cyclic loading of plate anchors.
Test facility and programme
Each anchor test was carried out in kaolin consolidated from
a slurry in a tank 300 mm in diameter and 600 mm high. A
consolidation pressure of 690 kPa was applied by a pressure
bag with drainage from each end of the tank as shown in Fig. 1,
resulting in a normally consolidated cohesive soil with an aver-
age undrained shear strength of 180 kPa.
The physical properties of the soil, Speswhite Kaolin, were
specific gravity, 2.62; % finer than 2 p , 60; activity, 0.45;
plastic limit, 36%; liquid limit, 63%. The kaolin was slurried
at a moisture content of about 1.75 times the liquid limit, and
after consolidation to 690 kPa, was measured to have a mois-
ture content of 37% at almost 100% saturation.
From triaxial tests conducted on 38 mm diameter, 76 rnrn
long samples of the consolidated kaolin, the effective friction
angle was measured to be 2 1". From oedometer consolidation
tests the coefficients of permeability were observed to decrease
with decreasing void ratio, and were measured to be decreas-
ing from 4 x to 2 x 10-lomls for a corresponding reduc-
tion in void ratio from 1.70 to 1.05.
Before consolidation was initiated, a 50 mm diameter by
3 mm thick disc anchor connected to a 9.5 mm shaft was plac-
ed in the slurry such that at the end of consolidation the anchor
would have a depth-to-diameter ratio of 4.5. At the end of the
 376 CAN. GEOTECH. J. VOL. 25, 1988

REACT

D AIR

CONVERTER
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@ ONIOFF VALVES
PRESSURE GAUGE

FIG. 2. Schematic layout for load-controlled anchor tests.

For personal use only.

TABLE
1. Summary of cyclic tests

Loading
Mean Amplitude Displacement
Cycling sequence (%) (%) No. of cycles (mm)
First cycling

Recycling from zero load 30 +5 480, 385 0.89

30 +10 618, 867 1.94
30 +20 839, 079 2.89
Recycling, load maintained 50 + 10 131, 887 1.25
50 + 15 241, 361 0.82
Precycling

*To failure.

consolidation stage the top of the anchor shaft was offered up
to the loading arrangement in readiness for the start of the test.
The consolidation pressure was maintained throughout the
loading of the anchors.
A schematic layout for the anchor tests is shown in Fig. 2.
With the arrangement shown it was possible to vary the type of
loading, static or cyclic, and also the magnitude and period of
the cyclic load. For the present test series a sinusoidal cycle
with a 10 s period was used. The principal parameters in the
cyclic testing of the anchors were the mean load and the cyclic
amplitude of load about this mean. The mean and amplitude,
given in columns 2 and 3 of Table 1, are expressed as a per-
centage of 3600 N, which had been measured as the drained
failure load of an identical plate anchor. This drained failure
load was used because the load cycling was to be applied over
a considerable period of time and would therefore be related to
the long-term or drained capacity of the anchor.
The subsidiary parameter examined in this study was the
effect of the sequence of load cycling on the anchor displace-
ment. The three particular aspects of this were first cycling-
where no previous load cycle had taken place; recycling-
where a sequence of cycling was repeated, with the same mean
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For personal use only.
 378 CAN. GEOTECH. J. VOL. 25, 1988
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For personal use only.

I 3 10 3o 100 300 103 ~ 0 3104 ~ 0 4 105

TIME (mini

FIG. 5. Displacements due to creep.

and amplitude of load, with a period of unloading of at least
24 h between the sequences; and precycling-where a
sequence of cycling was terminated and then restarted, with a
higher mean load and (or) a higher amplitude.
In the case of first cycling, or in the absence of previous
cycling, 30 and 50% mean loads were used. At the 30% mean
load, three amplitudes of loading, 5, 10, and 20% were
applied. At the 50% mean load, the three amplitudes applied
were 10, 15, and 20%. Recycling was canied out at mean
loads of 30 and 50%, and with two different starting condi-
tions. The first condition was one in which the anchor was sub-
jected to the mean load and immediately cycled, and these tests
have been designated as "recycling from zero load" in
Table 1. The second condition was one in which the mean load
was applied for 24 h before cycling, and these tests have been
designated as "recycling, load maintained" in Table 1. Pre-
cycling was also camed at mean loads of 50 and 70%.
Cyclic test results
The anchors were tested at varying mean loads and at differ-
ent amplitudes and the test results are summarized in Table 1.
These tests enabled a comparison to be made of the effects of a
number of parameters, which are discussed below.
Effect of cyclic mean and amplitude
The effect of the load amplitude, ranging between 5 and
20%, on the displacements was examined for two mean loads,
namely 30 and 50%, and is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 respec-
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For personal use only.

NUMBER OF
CYCLES

FIG. 6. Effect of mean, at 10% amplitude.

FIG. 7. Effect of recycling, at 30% mean.

 CAN. GEOTECH. J. VOL. 2 5 , 1988

- -
- -
4- -
- -
- -
- -
-
- -

-: -
3- -
C -
Z
w
r
- -
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W
U
-
-
a
_1
- -
a
m
-2- -
0
- -
- a -* -
- -
- -
1 - R E C Y C L I N G AT 50 ? l o % -.
- 0

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RECYCLING A T 50 :IS%
- r..~O.---O----~-.-O..---.,.---O..-O-~o - -J -re-ocr
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For personal use only.

10 I O* lo3 lo4 lo5 lo6

N U M B E R OF CYCLES

FIG. 8. Effect of recycling, at 50% mean

FIG. 9. Effect of precycling.

 tively. The creep displacements corresponding to the peak
cyclic stresses are also shown. It is apparent from this figure
that the displacements are made up of creep and cyclic compo-
nents.
The displacements due to creep were obtained from "main-
tained" load tests where the anchor displacements were moni-
tored as a function of time for each corresponding increment of
load, and are shown in Fig. 5. The part of the plot that is linear
and increasing with log of time is considered to be due to
creep.
There appear to be three parts to the cyclic displacement,
and in the absence of other information, the following explana-
Can. Geotech. J. Downloaded from www.nrcresearchpress.com by Santa Cruz (UCSC) on 10/22/14
tion is offered for these tests. In the first part, up to about 1000
cycles, the displacements are due to the consolidation of the
surrounding soil caused by the extra loading on the anchor. As
such the magnitude of this displacement is governed by the
total load, that is, the sum of the mean and the amplitude, and
is illustrated in Fig. 6 where increasing the total load from
30 f 10% to 50 f 10% increased the initial displacement
from 1 to 2 mm.
In the second part, beyond about 1000 cycles, equilibrium is
reached between the buildup of excess pore pressure caused by
external loads and the dissipation of this pore pressure into the
surrounding soil, within each cycle of loading. Associated
with this dissipation per cycle, are small consolidation dis-
placements, which, over a period of time, add up to give the
For personal use only.
displacement-time relationship. These part-two displace-
ments are dependent on the amplitude and to a lesser extent on
the mean. In Fig. 6 , despite increasing the mean load from 30
to 50% at 10% amplitude, the displacements are similar, for
the range 10'-lo6 cycles, whereas in Figs. 3 and 4 , it is
shown that increasing the load amplitudes from 5 to 20%
resulted in increased displacements for the corresponding
numbers of cycles.
The third part of the displacement occurs only when failure
is reached, as in the test at 50 f 20% when displacements per
cycle begin to increase with each load cycle. In this part the
buildup of excess pore pressure in a cycle of load is greater
than the dissipation, and hence with each application of load
cycle the excess pore pressures become cumulatively larger
and the corresponding effective stresses smaller until failure
occurs.
Cyclic testing of triaxial samples under stress levels and
drainage similar to those in the anchor would help in confirm-
ing the above behaviour. Information on the cyclic testing of
triaxial samples has been either for purely undrained condi-
tions (Anderson 1976a; Chang 1982) or for drainage permitted
between sequences of undrained loading (Anderson 19763)
rather than on the cyclic loading of a sample with continuous
drainage. In summary, the displacements during the cyclic
loading of an anchor are due to the buildup and dissipation of
pore pressures, and anchor failure occurs if the buildup of pore
pressure is greater than the dissipation, within each load cycle.
Effect of recycling and precycling
Subsequent to the initial sequence of cycling, the anchors
were unloaded and subjected to further sequences, either at the
same mean and amplitude-termed recycling-or at increased
mean and (or) amplitude-termed precycling. Figures 7 and 8
show the effect of recycling, comparing the initial cycling with
the second sequence for the mean loads of 30 and 50% respec-
tively. In Fig. 7 , the second sequence of cycling was applied
without the load being maintained at the mean level of 30%.
The displacements are observed to be greater because the loads
associated with the initial consolidation are higher.
In Fig. 8, the displacements during recycling are consider-
ably less than those in the first cycling. When the cycling is
stopped, all excess pore pressures are dissipated, with a stif-
fening of the soil. Thus, on reapplication of an equal load the
displacements would be less.
In the test that failed on first cycling, the anchor was cycled
at 50 f 20% and failure occurred after about 40 000 cycles.
Precycling of the same anchor under the same mean load and
amplitude showed no failure and its behaviour is shown in
Fig. 9 in comparison with the first-cycled failed anchor. This,
again, is due to stiffening of the soil due to precycling.
Because of precycling, the peak cyclic loads could be increased
up to 90% of the static capacity before failure occurred, as
shown in Fig. 9 for 70 f 20%.
Thus it is observed that recycling and precycling improves
the ability of the anchor to cany loads.
Conclusions
The tests demonstrated that the anchors did not fail when
cycled up to 50 f 20% of the static capacity. When cycling
was stopped and restarted, as with periods of relative calm
between storms in an offshore situation, the anchors were safe
up to 70 f 20% of their static capacity.
ANDERSON,
K. H. 1976a. Behaviour of clay subjected to undrained
cyclic loading. Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, No. 114.
19766. Effect of cyclic loading on clay behaviour. Norwegian
Geotechnical Institute, No. 113.
CHANG, C. S. 1982. Residual undrained deformation from cyclic
loading. ASCE Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division,
108(GT4): 637 -646.
PONNIAH, D. A. 1984. Behaviour of plate anchors in cohesive soils
under static and cyclic loads. Ph.D. thesis, University of Glasgow,
Glasgow, Scotland.