Retaining wall stabilisation can be effectively achieved using our Vulcan Earth Anchors. These mechanical ground anchors are driven through the wall face and into stable ground behind the failure zone. Once in position, they are load-locked to apply immediate active restraint, counteracting soil pressure and preventing wall movement or failure.

This method is faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective than traditional solutions involving concrete or piling. There is no need for wet trades or curing time, making it ideal for both emergency repair and long-term stabilisation of brick, block, gabion, or timber retaining walls.

Slopes and embankments can be stabilised by driving Vulcan Earth Anchors through the upper soil layers and into stable ground beyond the slip surface or angle of repose. These anchors act as passive or active reinforcement, arresting further movement and improving slope safety.

Often used with geotextiles or erosion control matting, the anchors provide surface stabilisation and protect against washout or shallow slips. This is a preferred method for highway embankments, rail cuttings, and landscaped slopes due to its non-invasive nature and rapid installation using handheld or hydraulic tools.

Yes. For shallow soil erosion or surface slippage, smaller Vulcan Earth Anchors used in conjunction with biodegradable mesh or geogrid systems can secure the topsoil and vegetation layers. This cost-effective solution helps prevent rainfall-induced erosion and promotes natural regrowth in soft landscaping and riverbank applications.

Absolutely. Ground anchors such as our Vulcan Earth Anchors and Anchor Screws are ideal for securing both temporary and permanent structures, including fencing, scaffolding, signage, relocatable buildings, and even floating pontoons.

These anchors eliminate the need for concrete footings and can be installed and removed quickly, making them perfect for construction sites, festivals, railways, and military use. Installation can be done using hand-held tools, meaning minimal disruption to the surrounding ground.

A proof test applies a higher force to the installed anchor—usually the intended working load multiplied by a safety factor (commonly 1.5x or 2x)—to confirm its capacity and ground resistance.

Once passed, the anchor is load-locked at the design working load. This guarantees performance and ensures compliance with engineering standards. The working load is the load the anchor will carry during service, while proof testing confirms its structural and geotechnical reliability before use.

Installation depends on anchor size and ground conditions. Smaller anchors can be driven using:

• Manual post drivers

• Breaker hammers

• Handheld hydraulic tools

Larger anchors or those in compacted soils may require:

• Excavator-mounted breakers

• Hydraulic torque drivers

• Pneumatic or percussion systems

We provide detailed method statements and offer on-site training to ensure safe, efficient installation for contractors, engineers, and installers.

Yes. For most applications—especially where public safety or structural stability is involved—site acceptability testing or proof testing is essential. This verifies ground conditions and confirms design assumptions.

Anchor Systems offers a full suite of support services, including:

• On-site anchor installation assistance

• Proof and ultimate load testing

• Training and CPD for engineers and contractors

• Signed documentation for structural compliance

Anchor depth varies depending on load requirements and soil conditions but generally ranges from 1 metre to over 12 metres. For slope or wall stabilisation, anchors are often spaced between 1 metre and 1.5 metres apart, or around 5 times the width of the anchor head. This avoids overlap of the load cones and maintains system integrity.

Our team can offer site-specific advice or carry out geotechnical designs based on Eurocode 7 and CIRIA guidance, ensuring spacing, length, and load meet structural safety standards.

Our anchor capacities are based on over 25 years of site data, field trials, and laboratory testing. The product naming convention (e.g. V40, V100, V200) represents the approximate load in kN the anchor can reliably hold in average soil conditions. Actual capacity may vary depending on:

• Soil type and compaction

• Moisture content

• Installation angle and depth

We recommend carrying out on-site testing to confirm holding capacity and ensure anchor performance matches project requirements.

Vulcan Earth Anchors and Anchor Screws are available in a variety of finishes and materials to suit your project’s lifespan. These include:

• Galvanised ductile iron (5–40 year design life)

• 316 stainless steel (up to 120+ years in marine/acidic soils)

Design life is influenced by soil chemistry, pH, moisture levels, and exposure. For highly aggressive environments (e.g. coastal or chemical), we recommend stainless steel variants and site-specific corrosion assessments.

This occurs when the surrounding soil shears or slips, reducing the anchor's ability to resist load. It's visible during load testing when the applied force causes a rapid displacement of the anchor with no further load increase.

Understanding soil failure helps refine anchor selection and layout. Our team can assist with test interpretation and design adjustments to ensure safety margins are met.

Our Vulcan Earth Anchors and Anchor Screws are manufactured from high-quality ductile cast iron, offering superior strength and impact resistance. For environments where corrosion is a concern—such as marine, coastal, or acidic soils—we offer anchors in 316-grade stainless steel, which provide extended durability and corrosion resistance up to 120+ years.

All components are hot-dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 standards as a minimum, ensuring long-term reliability in buried applications.

Vulcan Earth Anchors are suitable for a wide range of soil conditions, from clay and sand to gravel and silty soils. They are typically recommended for soils with a Standard Penetration Test (SPT N-value) of 5 to 60, with optimal performance in the N = 15–35 range. This ensures a balance between installation ease and reliable load capacity.

Anchors are not suitable for highly organic soils, peat, or voided fill without prior ground investigation and testing.

All Vulcan Earth Anchors and Anchor Screws are independently tested for:

• Tensile breaking loads

• Corrosion performance

• Shear and bending strength

• Geotechnical resistance

We use the lowest-rated component in the system to calculate limiting structural strength, applying a 10% reduction as a safety margin. We also provide on-site proof testing to verify real-world anchor performance prior to full installation.

Yes. Anchor Systems offers full design support services, including:

• Global and local stability assessments using industry standards (Eurocode 7, CIRIA C760, CD622)

• CAD drawings and specifications

• Load calculations and anchor spacing

• Signed design certificates for project records

We also provide assistance for projects involving sheet piling, gabions, revetments, and bridge abutments.

When an anchor is driven and load-locked, it rotates into a perpendicular position underground, forming a "bearing plate." As tension is applied, it compresses a conical soil mass, distributing load across a large surface area and mobilising shear resistance. The anchor cone resists pull-out forces, making the system self-reinforcing.

This efficient load distribution enables high holding capacities with minimal material and installation effort.

Most standard ground anchors and accessories are available from stock or within a 2–3 week lead time. For large-scale projects or custom anchor sizes (e.g. stainless steel or oversized lengths), we recommend allowing 4–6 weeks from order to delivery.

Express manufacturing or phased delivery can often be arranged. All products are shipped from our UK-based warehouse with global shipping available through our distributor network.

Yes. All Anchor Systems products come with a standard warranty covering manufacturing defects and material performance. We also offer:

• Product datasheets and test reports

• Design life statements

• Signed design certificates

• Proof test results

Extended warranties and project-specific performance guarantees can be arranged—please contact our technical team for details.

We provide comprehensive support for clients, engineers, and contractors including:

• On-site installation training

• Digital method statements and videos

• CPD-certified seminars (bookable via our CPD Training page)

• Tool hire or sales for anchor installation

Whether you're new to ground anchoring or working on a complex geotechnical project, we can help you design, specify, and install the right system safely and efficiently.

Anchor Systems products are available directly through our UK office or via our global network of approved distributors. To find your nearest supplier or speak with a technical advisor, visit our Contact Us page or call +44 (0) 1342 719 362.