In this paper,a large deformation finite element analysis based on the CEL technique is conducted to simulate the keying process of plate anchors. Prior to parametric study,the large deformation finite element analysis results are validated against with centrifuge model test data,with good agreement obtained. From local soil flow mechanism,it can be found that the keying process of plate anchors is changed. For different chain-sea level angle,the vertical load is the maximum value when the plate anchors are pulling at 90 degrees. At the same time,loss of embedment of plate anchors is also the largest. When the anchor eye eccentricity ratio is relatively small,the loss of embedment of plate anchors is very large,and which is mainly concentrated in the plate anchors rotated to 45 degrees. When the soil-anchors friction coefficient large than 0.5,the loss of embedment of the plate anchors varies little.