Pull-out capacity of tree root inspired anchors in shallow granular soils

The pull-out capacity of anchors inspired by tree roots was evaluated using model tests to investigate the effect of anchor geometry on pull-out capacity. Experimental pull-out tests were performed on anchors with fractal geometries buried at shallow depths in a model granular medium. The results show that an existing pull-out model for plain shape anchors can be extended to fractal shape anchors by introducing an additional shape factor. The values of this shape factor reveal that fractal anchors can achieve the same pull-out capacity as plain shape anchors but the amount of material needed for their construction is much less. As a consequence, the use of fractal shape anchors may be a cost-effective solution in a number of geotechnical applications.