An analytical model for the pull-out of rigid anchors

A linear elastic fracture mechanics model is presented for the pull-out failure caused by a rigid anchor embedded in a brittle material. The anchor is modeled as a vertically loaded, partly bonded rigid plate in an elastic half-space, and failure is assumed to arise from cracking which emanates from the edges of the plate. The two-dimensional elasticity problem is reduced to solving numerically a system of coupled singular integral equations. Stress intensity factors are presented for several combinations of load geometry, crack length, crack extension angle, and embedment depth. The stress intensity factors are used to construct crack paths and to determine the stability of crack propagation.