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- Determining the Size of Anchor Page 1 of 4

Determining Proper Anchor Length

Rock & Soil Case Corrosion
Anchors Histories Protection

General Comments
The length and load capacity of rock and soil anchor systems is dependent on many
variables. Some of these variables are rock or soil properties, installation methods,
underground or overhead obstructions, existing structures, right of way and easement
limitations, anchor material strength and anchor type. Topics such as these should be
evaluated during an anchor feasibility study prior to final anchor design. Final embedment
depths should be determined on a project to project basis after reviewing rock or soil
samples, previous experience and geological data. On-site anchor tests are generally the
best way to accurately determine anchor lengths and capacities for the given geological
conditions.

Free-Stress Length
Pre-stressed or post-tensioned earth anchors must be designed with a free-stress length.
This is the portion of the anchor length that does not provide anchorage to the soil or rock
during the stressing procedure. The purpose of the free-stress length is to allow the installer
to transfer an immediate anchor load directly to a specific location in the soil or rock. For
instance, when designing tie back anchors, the free-stress length should be long enough to
transfer the pre-stress load behind the predicted failure plane of the soil or rock mass. The
free-stress length also helps to minimize load loss due to movement at the anchor head
during load transfer from the stressing jack. The Post Tensioning Institute recommends that
for pre-stressed rock or soil anchors utilizing steel bars, the free-stress length shall be a
CONCRETE
ACCESSORIES minimum of 10 feet, and for steel strand a minimum of 15 feet due to greater seating losses.
DIVISION PTI recommendations on free-stress length are based on anchors utilizing high strength
post-tension steel and often have relatively high design loads. Lighter load pre-stressed
mechanical rock anchors have been successfully designed and installed with overall lengths
shorter than 10 feet in high quality rock.

Mechanical Rock Anchor Lengths

One method that is used to estimate the embedment depth for mechanical rock anchors
such as Williams Spin-Lock system is based on rock mass pullout capacity. The mass of
rock mobilized in uplift is approximately conical in shape and often is angled outward from
the longitudinal axis of the rock anchor between 15 and 60 degrees depending on the site's
structural geology. The pullout capacity of the cone is a function of the weight of the cone
and the shear resistance of the rock along the surface of the cone. Rock anchors are
typically designed with embedments deep enough to ensure ductile failure of the steel bar.
Mathematically, by setting the anchors ultimate steel capacity equal to the pull out capacity
of the rock failure cone and applying necessary safety factors, a designer can estimate
anchor embedment depth. Some designers neglect shear resistance and only use the
weight of the cone for rock mass pullout resistance. This will typically provide a conservative
anchor design.

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The length of a mechanical rock anchor can be shorter than a cement grout or resin bond
system since the load is being transferred by a mechanical head assembly rather than a
grout or resin bond length. Therefore, the free-stress length plus the length of the
mechanical head assembly makes up the embedment depth of the mechanical rock anchor.
When anchors require couplers for longer lengths, Williams recommends the use of a hollow
bar Spin-Lock for ease of grouting. Williams lists useful design charts which tabulate anchor
steel capacity based on corresponding anchor diameters and recommended safety factors.
This section also reviews installation procedure and provides detailed information on Spin-
Lock accessories and components.

R= Radius of cone base

H= Height of cone
L= Incline length of cone
V= Volume of cone (right angle cone) = (1/3)( )(R²)(h)
Rock shear resistance multiplied by the rock cone interface surface
S=
area
FS= Factor of Safety (.5 for a 2:1 Safety Factor)
Y= Unit Weight of rock (approx. 150 pcf dry)
U= Ultimate tensile strength of anchor rod
O= Cone Angle
P= Applied Design Load
= 3.14
Mechanical Head Assembly [(V)(Y) + S] > P < [ U / FS ]

Mechanical Soil Anchor Lengths

Williams Form Engineering offers the Manta Ray and Stingray mechanical soil anchors.
Manta Ray anchors can hold a maximum of 20,000 lbs, depending on soil properties and
size of the Manta Ray head assembly. Their advantage is ease of installation, as no drilling
or grouting is typically required. The anchor is simply driven into the soil with a driving
hammer. Holding capacities for the Manta Ray anchors are shown on here.

Bonded Rock Anchor Lengths

Embedment depths for pre-stressed resin or cement grout bonded rock anchors are often
determined by using the rock cone method as described under Mechanical Rock Anchor
Lengths. However, unlike the mechanical anchor, the bonded anchor must also include a
bond length in the embedment depth. The bond length allows the applied tensile load to be
transferred to the surrounding rock. Therefore the embedment depth of a prestressed
bonded rock anchor is made up of the free-stress length and the bond length. When using
the rock cone method, a conservative approach would be to assume the pullout cone starts
at the top of the bond zone. The bond length can be estimated by using the following
equation, however test anchors are generally the best way to determine anchor
embedments and capacities. Typical values shown below are from the Post-Tensioning
Institute. They are not meant to be used for final design. Final bond stresses should be
determined after the review of sample cores, previous experience and geological data.

Ultimate Grount/Bond Stress

Estimates for Various Rock (from PTI)
Granite and Basalt 250-450 psi
Dolomitic Limestone 200-300 psi
Soft Limestone 150-200 psi
Slates and Hard Shales 120-200 psi
Soft Shales 30-120 psi
Sandstones 120-250 psi

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Concrete 200-400 psi

Average Ultimate Bond Stress Estimates for Various Rock

P= Design Load for the anchor
= 3.14
D= Diameter of the drill hole
Lb= Bond Length
Tw= Working bond stress along the interface between the rock and grout (The working bond stress is normally 50
percent or less of the ultimate bond stress.)
Note= The ultimate bond stress between the rock and the anchor grout is estimated by a value of 10% of the
unconfined compressive strength of the rock, but not more than 450 psi (3.1 MPa).

Bonded Soil Anchor Lengths

Embedments for pre-stressed soil anchors consist of a 10
foot minimum free-stress length (for bar anchorages) and
typically 20-40 feet of bonded length. Anchor drilling and
grouting methods can have significant impact on soil bond
stress values therefore final bond lengths are often
determined by specialty anchor contractors. Shown below
is a chart that can be used to estimate anchor bond length.
This chart is for straight shaft anchors installed in small
diameter holes using low grout pressure. However, final
anchor capacity should be determined from field testing
the anchors. For further guidance and recommendation on
the design of pre-stressed bonded soil and rock anchors,
refer to the Post-Tensioning Institutes manual on rock and
soil anchors. Also refer to AASHTO for applicable
publications.

Estimated Average Ultimate Bond Stress for Determining Soil/Grout Bond Lengths (taken from PTI)
Cohesive Soil Cohesionless Soil
Average Ultimate Average Ultimate
Bond Stress at Bond Stress at
Anchor Type Anchor Type
Soil/Grout Interface Soil/Grout Interface
(PSI) (PSI)
Gravity Grouted Anchors (straight shaft) 5 - 10 Gravity Grouted Anchors (straight shaft) 10-20

Pressure Grouted Anchors (straight shaft) Pressure Grouted Anchors (straight shaft)
- Soft silty Clay 5 - 10 - Fine-medium Sand, medium dense - dense 12 - 55
- Silty Clay 5 - 10 - Medium coarse Sand (w/Gravel), medium dense 16 - 95
- Stiff Clay, medium to high Plasticity 5 - 10 - Medium coarse Sand (w/Gravel), dense - very dense 35 - 140
- Very stiff Clay, medium to high Plasticity 10-25 - Silty Sands 25 - 60
- Stiff Clay, medium Plasticity 15 - 35 - Dense glacial Till 43 - 75
- Very stiff Clay, medium Plasticity 20 - 50 - Sandy Gravel, medium dense - dense 31 - 200
- Very stiff sandy Silt, medium Plasticity 40 - 55 - Sandy Gravel, dense - very dense 40 - 200

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Rock & Soil Case Corrosion

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