Abstract: In order to clarify the mechanism of formation and evolution of the shear zone of soils near the anchor plate, based on the discrete element method, a particle flow code model by coupling FLAC-PFC2D is established. The effects of embedment depth of the anchor plate and friction coefficient of anchor plate-sand soil interface on the pullout force- displacement curve, soil displacement around the plate and the trend of force chain development in the model during the process of pullout are investigated. The results show that the ultimate pullout force of the anchor plate increases as the embedment ratio of the anchor plate in the soils increases, and the failure mode of the soils gradually changes from the general failure mode to the local one when the embedment depth ratio is about 8. Through the force chain analysis of the whole model and passive zone, the mobilization effects of the anchor plate during pullout process of the vertical strip anchor on the surrounding soils subjected are further clarified.