REMOVABLE GROUND ANCHORS

A NEW OF GROUND ANCHOR AND AN IMPROVED METHOD BY WHICH IT CAN BE INSTALLED IN THE GROUND, AND REMOVED FROM THE GROUND AFTER USE, IS DISCLOSED. THE GROUND ANCHOR COMPRISES A ROD (10) HAVING AN ANCHORING END (11) AND A FREE END (12), A SACRIFICIAL HEAD (16) OF GREATER CROSS SECTION THAN SAID ROD, AND A TENSIONING AND LOCKING MEANS (15). THE ROD (10) AND THE SACRIFICIAL HEAD (16) ARE EMBEDDED IN CONCRETE (20) IN A HOLE (17) IN THE GROUND BEHIND A RETAINING WALL (17), WITH THE FREE END (12) EXTENDING THROUGH THE RETAINING WALL AND THE TENSIONING AND LOCKING MEANS (15) ABUTTING THE RETAINING WALL TO TENSION SAID ROD (10). THE ROD (10) IS ALSO PROVIDED WITH A WEAKENED ZONE (13) FORMED ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE ROD (10). THE ROD (10) AND SACRIFICIAL HEAD (16) ENGAGE DETACHABLY SO THAT THE ROD MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE GROUND WITH VERY LITTLE OF THE GROUND ANCHOR LEFT IN THE GROUND AFTER COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. THE REMOVAL OF THE ROD (10) MAY ALSO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY TENSIONING THE ROD (10) UNTIL IT SHEARS AT THE WEAKENED ZONE (13). THE GROUND ANCHOR MAY BE REMOVED WITHOUT THE UNCERTAINTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE SNAPPING OF STRANDS, THE CRACKING OF CONCRETE SURROUNDING THE ANCHOR, AND WITHOUT THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES.(FIG. 1)