Ground Anchors

Ground Anchors are versatile devices used to hold, restrain, and support buildings and other structures, either permanently or temporarily.

Ground anchors can carry very high loads to hold down/ up/ back structures/slopes. They can be utilised as either a permanent or temporary component to any construction or civil engineering project.

The primary purpose of geotechnical ground anchors is to prevent horizontal movement while stabilising retaining structures, including sheet piles, bored concrete piles and steel tubular walls.

Moreover, they can prevent additional movement or stabilise existing retaining walls or bridge abutments. Other applications could be in cofferdams, where internal bracing causes construction problems, in dock walls and marine structures, where dock walls need to be stabilised and strengthened, and on river and canal walls, as tiebacks.

Aarsleff has a wealth of experience in the design and installation of ground anchor systems. Download our most recent case study here (CTA 1)

Ground Anchors are applied to an engineered system that mechanically fixes a structure to the ground, enabling load transfer into a competent stratum. The tensile forces applied are resisted by the shear strength of the surrounding soil.

The 10-step construction sequence required to complete installation:

• Develop the most effective and efficient design, including the type of anchors to be used and where they should be installed
• Set up the drill rig and drill required hole size and depth
• Inject grout
• Insert threaded bar with sleeve
• Apply plate
• Once the grout has hardened, apply load to the end of the anchor and try to pull it out. This will verify that you have installed the ground anchor correctly, and it will do what it’s supposed to do.
• Drainage strips
• Install temporary facing
• Install toe drain
• Install final facing

Ground Anchors are an excellent solution for slopes and embankments, but in comparison to alternative methods, there are many advantages, such as the below:

• Practical alternative to propping
• Versatile form of earth retention
• High loads can be obtained in relatively poor ground conditions
• Driven anchors can be used in a variety of soil conditions
• They are used to install ‘active’ forces into structures
• Enhanced durability, including resistance to corrosion and resistance to alkalis and solutions in soils, increases their life and significantly reduces the need for maintenance, thereby decreasing life-cycle costs
• Driven anchors create a low environmental impact
• Permanent anchors are frequently used in new ports and harbour developments, road schemes, dam refurbishments, and tensile support
• Maximised working spaces can be created for deep excavations on civil engineering projects such as cofferdams, new build or extensions, cut and cover tunnels, to name a few
• Can produce valuable savings in programme and budget

Would you like to know more? If you’re interested in learning about further advanced techniques such as anchored pile walls and how to use ground anchors in projects that need a multi-discipline service, get in touch today.