Comparing pull-out capacity of expandable anchors using discrete/coupled Eulerian element methods versus finite element technique

Advancements in industry and increased energy demands have led to the construction of onshore and offshore platforms. The stability of these platforms is a major challenge for geotechnical engineers. Expandable anchors have recently been proposed to address this issue. Researchers have investigated the bearing capacity of anchors with different shapes and plate numbers using experimental and numerical methods. The use of a suitable method for numerical modeling of expandable anchors is necessary to determine their performance. The current study evaluated the bearing capacity of multi-plate anchors using the coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian, discrete element, and finite element methods and compares their results. The effect of an increase in the number of plates (to three), the distance between plates, the plate shape (square or circular), and the soil density (80% or 60%) on the bearing capacity of the anchors was determined. The results showed that the Eulerian model was in very good agreement with the experimental results and that the square anchor exhibited a higher bearing capacity than the circular anchor. An equation is proposed for the calculation of the bearing capacity of expandable anchors.