Further Information > Harrod UK Test Conducted by: Rob Gooch Witnessed by: Mark Smith Date: 29/05/02 1) Purpose This test is to show the direct pullout force capabilities of a new style of ground anchor called Spira-Lock^TM, it is installed by hitting with a hammer and it screws itself into the ground and is locked in place when secured to the product that it is anchoring. Removal is equally as simple, by attaching an “L” shaped bar and hitting the underside the anchor extracts with minimal disruption to the soil. Our standard “U” peg (PEG100) along with a single helical plate type anchor were also tested to show comparisons. 2) Equipment Block and Tackle mounted onto a frame positioned directly over the anchor, with inline Load cell linked to transducer calibrated to Kg and finally connected to the anchor. 3) Test Methods The anchors are positioned in our test field, which we view as a typical playing field soil condition. Each  anchor is tensioned until it starts to rise and the force is recorded at this point the soil is compacted and the anchor stabilises. Further force is applied and recorded when the anchor starts pulling out of the ground. 4) Results The initial reading on the load cell is 10kgs; this has been subtracted from the results.The following table shows the results. Reproduced by kind permission from Harrod UK Limited, ©Harrod UK Limited 2002 The brand name of Spirafix^TM was formerly Spira-Lock^TM www.harrod.uk.com Conclusions To anchor a portagoal and meet BS EN 748 we need 1 anchor capable of holding 112.2 kgs or 2 anchors capable of holding 56.1 kgs each The results demonstrate that all the anchors except PEG100 are capable of securing a Portagoal to the BS EN 748. 2 off PEG100 would be needed to meet this Standard (which is the amount that we supply as standard). The results also show that the pull out forces required to extract the Spira-Lock^TM are very high. The Initial Rise for the 300mm long anchor seems to be a rogue reading and should be more like 105kgs. The pullout readings for the Spira-Lock^TM seem to be a bit erratic, for example the 600mm long did not pull out even when we reached the maximum safe loading for the test rig of 600kgs, yet the 500mm long anchor pulled out at 335kgs. More surprisingly the 400 & 300 long anchors exceeded the pull out force of the 500mm long anchor. This proves that ground conditions are a big factor in anchor selection and a slightly larger anchor should always be selected for safety. Our 4m Team Shelter weighs 114kgs therefore if we were to anchor it down with the 400mm anchor we would be using twice as much anchorage on each side than the weight of the product and there would also be no initial settlement movement. ©Spirafix Limited 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Updated 10/04/2011 Made with Xara Web Designer 6