In order to investigate the bearing features of inflated anchors

a series of scaled physical model tests are done in a calibration chamber using dry sands and anchors of various inflation pressures

embedment depths

soil densities

membrane lengths and thicknesses; and the relevant load-displacement curves are obtained. The results show that the inflation pressure

soil density and anchor length are the dominant factors affecting the pullout capacity of the inflated anchor system in sands. The utmost displacement of inflated anchor is mainly from the elastoplastic deformation of the membrane

which reflects the mechanical properties of the membrane during the pullout test. By contrastive analysis with common anchors

it is indicated that the limit tensile load of inflated anchor is 4.3 times of that of the single-blade screw anchor

1.9 times of that of the double-blade screw anchor. And its ultimate lateral resistance is 2 to 4 times of that of common anchors