Experimental investigation of Rock Anchor behaviour under diverse loading conditions

The increasing attention toward Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) applications require the development of cost-efficient and reliable anchoring solutions. In the context of rocky seabeds, Rock Anchors (RAs) represent a promising solution since can be applied in shallow and deep waters minimizing the relevant costs (i.e. installation, operational, and materials). These systems require novel design procedures based upon the direct observation of failure mechanisms through experimental tests. In this work a 1g physical model is presented to show the behaviour of a real groutless and self-drilling anchoring system under diverse loading conditions by means of sleeved anchor bolts installed in soft calcarenite rock. The load was applied through an Instron UTM in tension. The failure mechanisms and the load capacity were herein evaluated experimentally and compared with existing analytical methods. The main findings of this work show the underestimation of the maximum axial and lateral capacity using both analytical design methods and the formation of axisymmetric pull-out cone and shallow wedge respectively for axial and lateral failure mechanism.