Full-scale field test study on the load-bearing characteristics of inclined anchor short pile foundation

Abstract

The inclined anchor short pile foundation, a novel composite foundation, has the advantages of less earth excavation, small construction workload and less environmental damage. Full-scale field tests were conducted on inclined anchor short pile foundation, and the pile top load–displacement curves, loading capacity of the inclined anchors, failure modes and load distribution regularities are analyzed. Compared with a single pile, the bearing capacity was improved by 29.41% under individual uplift load and 18.52% under individual horizontal load, indicating that the inclined anchors can effectively share load and improve the overall bearing capacity of the foundation. However, compared with uplift-only loading, the bearing capacity is reduced under combined uplift and horizontal loading, suggesting that horizontal loads diminish the uplift bearing capacity of inclined anchor short pile foundations. The short piles and inclined anchors work in coordination, and the load gradually spreads from the short pile to the inclined anchors as the load increases. The failure mode was also related to the applied load form, as the failure phenomenon under combined load integrated the characteristics of individual uplift and horizontal loading modes. The research findings provide significant support for the design and implementation of inclined anchor short pile foundations.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

inclined anchor short pile foundation / field full-scale test / load-bearing capacity / failure mode / distribution coefficient

References

[1] Gan Y D , Deng H Z , Liu H F , Zhao Q B . Experimental and numerical researches on a new type of tower for steep mountainous areas. Engineering Structures, 2020, 214: 110654

[2] Savory E , Parke G A R , Disney P , Toy N . Wind-induced transmission tower foundation loads: A field study-design code comparison. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2008, 96(6–7): 1103–1110

[3] Arita M , Kanno R , Kitaoka S , Hisazumi K . Bearing strength and stiffness of concrete subjected to edge loading through rigid steel loading plate for composite joint component. Structures, 2025, 79: 109462

[4] Nguyen V P , Nguyen Q H , Couchaux M , Aribert J M , Hjiaj M . Hybrid steel beam to exterior RC column joints with encased steel profile. Engineering Structures, 2024, 306: 117624

[5] Chen Y H , Cai Y Z , Xie Q , Wan J W , Sun Q G . Combined effects of icing and wind on transmission lines in mountainous areas. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 2024, 223: 109042

[6] Hemel M J , Peters D J , Korff M . Bending properties and lateral resistance of historic timber foundation piles in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Journal of Structural Engineering, 2025, 151(1): 04024195

[7] He H F , Xu M S , Yang C C . Experimental investigation of ultrahigh-performance concrete for capacity-protected pile shafts connecting with precast columns. Journal of Structural Engineering, 2026, 152(1): 04025249

[8] Pacheco M P , Danziger F A B , Pinto C P . Design of shallow foundations under tensile loading for transmission line towers: An overview. Engineering Geology, 2008, 101(3-4): 226–235

[9] Ren J W , Xu Q B , Chen G , Yu X D , Gong S F , Lu Y . Seismic performance of pretensioned centrifugal spun concrete piles with combined steel strands and deformed steel bars. Journal of Structural Engineering, 2023, 149(11): 04023147

[10] Bai X Y , Zhao X M , Yan N , Sun G , Hou D S , Liu J W . Field test of GFRP bar anti-floating anchor slurry-rock interface bonding performance. Composite Structures, 2024, 331: 117893

[11] Fabris C , Schweiger H F , Pulko B , Woschitz H , Račanský V . Numerical simulation of a ground anchor pullout test monitored with fiber optic sensors. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2021, 147(2): 04020163

[12] Ilamparuthi K , Dickin E A . Predictions of the uplift response of model belled piles in geogrid-cell-reinforced sand. Geotextiles and Geomembranes, 2001, 19(2): 89–109

[13] Wang Q K , Ma J L , Ji Y K , Zhang J , Chen W L . Determination of ultimate bearing capacity of uplift piles using intact and non-intact load–displacement curve. Journal of Central South University, 2022, 29(2): 470–485

[14] Peng Y , Shu Q J , Zhang H Y , Huang H , Zhang Y Q , Qian Z Z . Numerical simulation of uplift behavior of a rock-socketed pier anchored by inclined anchors in rock masses. Buildings, 2024, 14(12): 3987

[15] Li S S , Zhang Y K , Li D Y . Capacity of cone-shaped hollow flexible reinforced concrete foundation (CHFRF) in sand under horizontal loading. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2020, 2020(1): 6346590

[16] Li Y F , Zhao J H , Xiong Y , Wang Q H . Experimental and theoretical research on large-diameter rock-socketed pile embedded depth. Archives of Civil Engineering, 2021, 67(2): 537–550

[17] Genco A , Ciantia M O , Previtali M , Brown M , Ivanovic A , Cresswell N , Twomey V . Large deformation numerical assessment of rock anchor response under axial loading for offshore renewable energy applications. Computers and Geotechnics, 2024, 173: 106563

[18] Mousavi S S , Ashtiani M . Compressive behavior of helical versus pipe pile groups in sandy soil. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 2025, 43(1): 3

[19] Panagiotis E , Rocchi I , Petrella F , Paulatto E , Zania V . Deformation behaviour of secant pile walls in layered soil–rock profiles: Lessons learned from deep excavations in Copenhagen. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 2025, 43(2): 119

[20] Singh P K , Kumar A . Parametric study of under-reamed piled ring foundation in soft clay. Sādhanā, 2024, 49(2): 147

[21] Singh S , Sawant V A . Mitigation of expansive soil heave using granular anchor piles with and without geogrid encasement. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 2025, 43(7): 372

[22] Xu X , Du X L , Huang Y . Dynamic centrifuge tests on the synergistic mechanism of pile-anchor structure retaining rock slopes. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 2024, 176: 108349

[23] Aamer F , Azzam W , Farouk A , Nasr A , Nazir A . Uplift response of opening anchor bladed pile in sand. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 2024, 42(7): 6561–6583

[24] Sheng M Q , Qian Z Z , Lu X L . Compression load tests on composite foundations of spread footing anchored by helical anchors. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2021, 2021: 5531380

[25] Jiang J Q , Mao Z Y , Chen L H , Wu Y K . Finite element analysis of load-bearing characteristics and design method for new composite-anchor uplift piles. Applied Sciences, 2024, 14(5): 2100

[26] Mao Z Y , Jiang J Q , Guo H , Wang E Z . Development and mechanical property analysis of a novel uplift pile incorporating composite anchors. Buildings, 2023, 13(8): 2029

[27] Sun Y Z , Pan K , Tang C , Sun H L , Cai Y Q , Pan F . Field experimental study on cyclic uplift behavior of anchored pier foundations. Acta Geotechnica, 2022, 17(10): 4419–4434

[28] Sun Y Z , Sun H L , Tang C , Cai Y Q , Pan F . Monotonic uplift behavior of anchored pier foundations in soil overlying rock. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A, 2023, 24(7): 569–583

[29] Wang Y H , Yin H W , Li J L , Deng H F . Analysis and calculation of pull-out bearing characteristics of composite foundation with inclined anchor-short pile. Journal of Architecture and Civil Engineering, 2025, 42(1): 167–178

[30] Tian L , Xie Q , Duan J , Tao F T , Ban Y X , Fu X , Yan B Q . Mechanical characteristics of pile-anchor joints of three-way inclined anchor-short pile foundation under tension. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2025, 46(1): 278–288

[31] Gao Y R , Zhang Y Q , Xie Q , Liu Q , Liu T L , You T , Fu X , Duan J , Qin P Y , Yang T . et al. A study on the influence of anchor rods’ layout on the uplift resistance characteristics of inclined anchor short-pile foundations based on FEA. Buildings, 2024, 14(8): 2580

[32] US-ASTM . Standard Test Methods for Deep Foundations under Static Axial Tensile Load, ASTM D3689/D3689M-07. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2013

[33] China-National Energy Administration. Technical Code for Design of Foundation of Overhead Transmission Line, DL/T 5219-2014. Beijing: China Electric Power Press, 2015 (in Chinese)

[34] Xie Z L , Qian Z Z , Zhang Y Q , Xie Q , Duan J . Numerical study on bearing performance of rock socketed pile anchored by inclined anchors under uplift and horizontal combined load. Scientific Reports, 2025, 15(1): 29987

Rights & permissions

The Author(s). This article is published with open access at link.springer.com and journal.hep.com.cn