Seismic interference of two nearby horizontal strip anchors in layered soil

In the present analysis, an attempt is made to explore the seismic response of two nearby horizontal strip anchors embedded in non-homogenous c-ϕ soil deposit at different depths. The analysis is performed by using two-dimensional finite-element software PLAXIS 2D. Each anchor carries equal static safe-working load without violating the ultimate uplift capacity under static condition. The soil is assumed to obey the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. The behavior of single isolated anchor subjected to an earthquake loading is determined first to study the interference effect between two anchors. The horizontal acceleration response obtained from the Loma Prieta Gilroy Earthquake (1989) is considered as the input excitation in the analysis. A parametric study is performed by varying the clear spacing (S) between the anchors at different embedment ratios (λ). The magnitude of vertical displacement, shear stress, and shear strain developed at different locations of the failure domain is determined for different clear spacings between the anchors. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012