Research Information System
Computers and Geotechnics, vol.191, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This study employed the three-dimensional finite difference modelling to investigate the improvement of uplift capacity in horizontal plate anchors embedded within geocell-reinforced sandy soils. A validated numerical framework, benchmarked against experimental data, systematically evaluated the influence of key geocell mattress width ratio (bg/B), pocket diameter ratio (de/B), height ratio (h/B), elastic modulus (Mg), and vertical placement relative to the anchor (u/B). Results demonstrate that geocell reinforcement significantly improves uplift capacity, exceeding 50 % under optimised configurations. Some insights suggest that the geocell reinforcement efficacy levels off once the geocell mattress width ratio bg/B exceeds 3.46. Smaller pocket diameters, de/B = 0.352, can improve the uplift capacity best, but they also increase the tensile stresses within the geocell walls. Uplift resistance increases linearly with geocell height. Geocell stiffness has a limited influence on ultimate uplift capacity. However, increased stiffness significantly reduces strain in the geocell walls, indicating improved deformation control under uplift loading. Geocell reinforcement is most effective when placed directly atop the anchor plate. As the u/B ratio increases from 0 to 1.0, the pullout capacity of the anchor plate shows a steady decline, with a total reduction of 21.5 %. These findings provide some design references for optimising geocell-reinforced anchor systems in offshore and geotechnical engineering.