Ground anchor

Keyword:

Ground anchor

Advisory hotline: +86-22-68287199

Classification:

Glass greenhouse accessories

Technical documentation:

chenwei@tkoisteel.com

Consulting

Details Introduction

As a high-precision agricultural facility, glass greenhouses have extremely high requirements for structural stability, and ground anchors are a key component to ensure their resistance to external forces such as strong winds and snow. The following is a detailed introduction to the function, type selection, construction points, and maintenance of glass greenhouse ground anchors:

1. Core Function of Glass Greenhouse Ground Anchors

Wind Resistance and Fixation
Glass greenhouses have a large surface area and are vulnerable to strong winds. Ground anchors transfer the horizontal thrust generated by the wind to the ground by connecting the greenhouse frame (such as columns and trusses), preventing the greenhouse from tilting or being overturned.
Snow Resistance and Load Bearing
Snow accumulation in winter will generate vertical pressure on the top of the greenhouse. Ground anchors can assist in fixing the foundation and prevent the greenhouse frame from deforming and the glass from breaking due to uneven settlement.
Foundation Reinforcement
For areas with loose soil or high winds, ground anchors can enhance the connection strength between the greenhouse foundation and the ground, reducing settlement or displacement during long-term use.

2. Types and Applicable Scenarios of Glass Greenhouse Ground Anchors

According to the greenhouse scale, geological conditions (soil type, groundwater level) and local climate, common types are as follows:

Ground Anchor Type	Structural Features	Applicable Scenarios	Advantages
Helical Ground Anchor	Composed of helical blades (10-30cm in diameter) and a steel rod, it is mechanically screwed into the ground with a connecting ring on top.	Small and medium-sized glass greenhouses, areas with clay or sandy loam soil, and low groundwater levels.	Quick installation (no excavation required), recyclable and reusable, low cost.
Concrete Ground Anchor	Precast concrete blocks (or cast on site) with built-in steel connectors, buried 1-2m deep, relying on self-weight and soil friction to bear force.	Large glass greenhouses, high wind loads (such as coastal areas), and scenarios with poor soil bearing capacity (such as soft soil).	Strong load-bearing capacity, high durability, suitable for long-term fixation.
Plate Ground Anchor	Steel plate (8-12mm thick) welded to a steel rod, buried vertically or obliquely underground, anchored by the friction between the steel plate and the soil.	Auxiliary fixation of greenhouse side walls or end walls, areas where the soil is hard or contains gravel.	Large stress area, stable pull-out resistance, simple construction.
Combined Ground Anchor	Helical anchor + concrete base, or steel cable connecting multiple ground anchors to disperse stress.	Extra-large span glass greenhouses, typhoon-prone areas, and sites with uneven foundations.	Strong pull-out resistance, adaptable to complex geological conditions.

3. Key Construction Points of Glass Greenhouse Ground Anchors

Preliminary Survey and Design

Clarify the local basic wind pressure (refer to the "Building Structure Load Code") and snow load, and calculate the required pull-out resistance of the ground anchor (usually requiring a single anchor pull-out resistance ≥5kN, and large greenhouses need to reach 10-20kN).
Survey the soil type: sandy soil requires increasing the burial depth of the ground anchor or selecting a helical anchor; clay soil requires attention to drainage to avoid water accumulation leading to ground anchor corrosion.
Avoid underground pipelines (such as irrigation pipes, cables), and keep a distance of ≥50cm from the edge of the greenhouse foundation to prevent construction damage to the foundation.

Installation Process

Helical Ground Anchor : Use a special drilling machine to screw the ground anchor into the ground. The burial depth depends on the soil (generally 1.2-2m). Ensure that the helical blades are completely buried in the soil and the top is horizontally aligned with the greenhouse frame connection point.
Concrete Ground Anchor : Excavate the foundation pit (size ≥50cm×50cm×80cm), place precast concrete blocks (or cast on site, grade ≥C25), embed connecting steel bars, backfill and compact the soil, and maintain for more than 7 days before applying force.
Connection and Fixation : The ground anchor and the greenhouse frame are connected by steel cables, turnbuckles or U-shaped clamps to ensure that the nodes are firm and a 1-2cm adjustment allowance is reserved to avoid stress concentration caused by temperature deformation.

Acceptance Criteria

Pull-out Resistance Test: Use a dynamometer for on-site sampling inspection. The pull-out resistance of a single anchor must reach more than 1.2 times the design value.
Appearance Inspection: The ground anchor is free of deformation and corrosion, the connecting parts are free of looseness, and the buried part is free of loose soil.

4. Precautions for Use and Maintenance

Regular Inspection

Check whether the connecting parts are loose every quarter, and whether the steel ground anchor is corroded (especially in rainy areas, anti-rust paint needs to be applied every year).
After strong winds and rainstorms, focus on checking whether the soil around the ground anchor has settled. If the frame is found to be tilted, adjust the tension through the turnbuckle in time.

Special Circumstances Handling

After the soil thaws or after the rainy season, the pull-out resistance needs to be retested, and the ground anchor needs to be deepened or the number increased if necessary.
If the ground anchor is deformed or broken, stop using it immediately and replace it. When replacing it, select a ground anchor of the same specification or higher strength.

Long-term Durability Guarantee

Steel ground anchors should preferably be hot-dip galvanized, and concrete ground anchors should have a waterproof coating on the surface to avoid groundwater erosion.
When renovating or remodeling a greenhouse, it is necessary to evaluate whether the ground anchors can be reused based on their actual condition. It is recommended to replace all ground anchors that exceed their designed service life (usually 15-20 years).

The selection and construction of ground anchors for glass greenhouses need to be 'tailor-made' according to the actual environment. Their reliability is directly related to the safe operation of the greenhouse, especially in areas with frequent extreme weather. It is necessary to strictly follow design specifications to ensure anchoring strength and durability.

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