Load Calculations for Anchor Block
An anchor block is a massive reinforced concrete structure constructed to resist the
forces generated by changes in direction or slope of a penstock or pressure conduit. It
transfers these forces safely into the foundation. Accurate load calculation is essential
to determine block size, reinforcement, and foundation requirements.
1. Forces Acting on an Anchor Block
Anchor blocks resist forces from the flowing water inside the pipe, pipe weight, and
external factors. Major loads include:
a) Internal Water Pressure
• Water exerts internal pressure PPP on the pipe wall:
P=γw⋅HP = \gamma_w \cdot HP=γw⋅H
where HHH is the water head above the section.
• At bends or junctions, this pressure creates unbalanced thrust forces that must
be transferred to the block.
b) Hydraulic Thrust at Bend
At a bend of angle θ\thetaθ, the resultant thrust is:
F=Pi⋅Ag⋅ΔVF = \frac{P_i \cdot A}{g} \cdot \Delta VF=gPi⋅A⋅ΔV
or more practically,
F=P⋅A⋅sin(θ2)F = P \cdot A \cdot \sin\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)F=P⋅A⋅sin(2θ)
where
• PPP = internal pressure
• AAA = pipe cross-sectional area
• θ\thetaθ = angle of deflection (bend angle).
This force acts in the bisector direction of the bend angle.
c) Frictional Force (for inclined/long pipes)
The block must resist pipe friction and longitudinal thrust caused by the pipe–block
interface.
Ff=μ⋅WF_f = \mu \cdot WFf=μ⋅W
where μ\muμ is coefficient of friction and WWW is pipe weight.
d) Dead Load of Pipe + Block
The self-weight of pipe and block acts vertically downward and is resisted by
foundation.
e) Uplift and Buoyant Forces
Groundwater may exert uplift pressure on the base of the anchor block.
U=γw⋅h⋅AbU = \gamma_w \cdot h \cdot A_bU=γw⋅h⋅Ab
where hhh is water head below foundation and AbA_bAb is base area.
f) Seismic and Other Loads
In seismic zones, inertia forces due to earthquake must be considered, applied on both
block and contained water.
2. Calculation Procedure
Step 1: Hydraulic Thrust at Bend
For a penstock of diameter DDD and internal pressure PPP:
A=πD24A = \frac{\pi D^2}{4}A=4πD2 F=P⋅A⋅sin(θ2)F = P \cdot A \cdot
\sin\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)F=P⋅A⋅sin(2θ)
This gives the unbalanced thrust force to be resisted.
Step 2: Stability Check of Anchor Block
The block is designed such that:
1. Sliding:
FW⋅tanϕ+c⋅Ab<1\frac{F}{W \cdot \tan \phi + c \cdot A_b} < 1W⋅tanϕ+c⋅AbF<1
where WWW is block weight, ϕ\phiϕ = angle of friction, ccc = cohesion, AbA_bAb =
base area.
2. Overturning:
MoMr<1\frac{M_o}{M_r} < 1MrMo<1
where MoM_oMo = overturning moment due to thrust, MrM_rMr = resisting moment due
to weight of block.
3. Bearing Pressure:
Check maximum and minimum pressures under foundation:
qmax,min=WAb±6MB⋅L2q_{max,min} = \frac{W}{A_b} \pm \frac{6M}{B \cdot
L^2}qmax,min=AbW±B⋅L26M
Ensure qmax≤qallowq_{max} \leq q_{allow}qmax≤qallow.
Step 3: Uplift Check
U<W+(friction resistance)U < W + (friction \, resistance)U<W+(frictionresistance)
Step 4: Reinforcement
If forces exceed concrete tensile capacity, reinforcement is provided to resist bursting
and shear forces, especially at pipe–block interface.
3. Example (Illustrative)
• Pipe diameter = 3 m
• Water head = 100 m → P=9.81×100=981 kN/m2P = 9.81 \times 100 = 981 \,
\text{kN/m}^2P=9.81×100=981kN/m2
• Bend angle = 90°
Pipe area:
A=πD24=π(3)24=7.07 m2A = \frac{\pi D^2}{4} = \frac{\pi (3)^2}{4} = 7.07 \,
\text{m}^2A=4πD2=4π(3)2=7.07m2
Thrust force:
F=P⋅A⋅sin(902)=981×7.07×0.707=4,900 kNF = P \cdot A \cdot
\sin\left(\frac{90}{2}\right) = 981 \times 7.07 \times 0.707 = 4,900 \,
\text{kN}F=P⋅A⋅sin(290)=981×7.07×0.707=4,900kN
Thus, anchor block must resist ~5,000 kN thrust. Block weight and foundation
resistance are designed accordingly.
4. Importance of Load Calculations
• Prevents failure of penstock joints at bends.
• Ensures stability of block against sliding and overturning.
• Provides safe transfer of loads into foundation rock or soil.
• Helps optimize block size, avoiding unnecessary excess concrete.
Codes such as IS 4880 (Part IV) – Code of practice for design of river valley projects,
Hydraulic Structures, USACE Penstock Design Manuals, and ICOLD bulletins give
guidelines for design methodology.
