Abstract: Through the model tests, the working property of anchors in clay under loads on ground surface is analyzed. Focus is placed on the axial strain, as well as its variation with loads and time. It is shown that with the increase of loads, the strain peak increases at first to the maximum, and then decreases gradually; under the same loading stage, the strain of anchor increases under a sustained load, and then decreases; under the small loads, the upper anchors play a main role before the limit load, the anti-sliding effects of the middle and lower anchors are significant.