Articles

Numerical Simulation of the Structural Behavior of Ripped Anchors in UHPFRC

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Abstract

Thanks to the relatively high tensile strength and very dense matrix, UHPFRC has established itself as an excellent building material for strengthening existing highly stressed structures as well as for construction of new structures. In both cases, the use of fasteners is unavoidable. Often, ribbed rods or steel reinforcement bars are used as fasteners. The thicknesses of structural components made of UHPFRC are relatively thin, i.e., at least 30mm, typically 50 to 100mm and exceptionally 100 to 200mm. Therefore, the aim is to use the fasteners with short anchorage lengths in order to safely anchor them in UHPFRC. In this contribution, the structural behaviour of short, ribbed rod with a diameter of 20 mm and an embedment length in UHPFRC of 50 mm (2.5Ø) was investigated by means of numerical simulations using a non-linear Finite Element model. UHPFRC was assumed to show tensile strain hardening behaviour and a tensile strength of 7 MPa and 11 MPa, respectively, and the investigated element was subjected to a continuously increasing uniaxial pull-out force. The results reveal the failure mechanism of fasteners anchored in UHPFRC characterized by the formation of a UHPFRC tensile membrane as main resisting against the pull-out force. Also, the influence of tensile properties of UHPFRC on the pull-out behavior and load-bearing capacity of fasteners anchored in UHPFRC is determined.

Keywords: fasteners, short anchorage, ribbed rod, numerical simulation, structural behavior

How to Cite:

Hochuli, A. & Brühwiler, E., (2023) “Numerical Simulation of the Structural Behavior of Ripped Anchors in UHPFRC”, International Interactive Symposium on Ultra-High Performance Concrete 3(1): 13. doi: https://doi.org/10.21838/uhpc.16644

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