Performance of numerical pull-out capacity modeling methods on helical anchors in clay

In recent years, helical anchors are widely employed. The investigation of helical anchors can be classified into material provision, manufacturing, anchor design and execution. The design of anchors has been of great interest to researchers. Despite several techniques for the study of helical anchors, numerical modeling is an important aspect of geotechnical research. However, numerical modeling remains yet to be developed. A number of numerical modeling methods have been proposed, the most important of which are Total Lagrangian (TL), Remeshing and Interpolation Technique with Small Strain (RITSS), and coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) methods. The present study simulates Wang's centrifugal pull-out tests of helical anchors using CEL in ABAQUS. The CEL results were compared to TL and RITSS in terms of (1) the maximum interaction force, (2) load-displacement behavior in the displacement range of 10% of the average helix diameter, and (3) complete helical anchor pull-out simulation. It was concluded that the TL simulation of anchor behavior had proper performance only in the prediction of the interaction force and load-displacement behavior in the displacement range of 10% of the average helix diameter. However, CEL could predict all three variables, including helical anchor pull-out behavior. CEL is recommended for the modeling of helical anchors as it requires no programming and has a simpler and more accurate process than RITSS.