The characteristics of discontinuities need to be considered to ensure the uplift bearing capacity for suspension bridge tunnel anchors which were installed on rocks. BasisSoft was tasked with evaluating the support of the anchorage, considering the discontinuities and type of anchorage. They needed a geotechnical application to perform 3D numerical analysis.

After considering their options, they selected PLAXIS to calculate the ultimate uplift bearing capacity for continuous and discontinuous suspension bridge tunnel type anchors. Using Bentley’s modeling and analysis application, the team at BasisSoft determined that ultimate uplift bearing capacity was reduced by approximately 6% when there was a discontinuity, compared to when there was no discontinuity.