Abstract:
In recent years, the use of externally bonded fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites has become popular as a
means to strengthen or repair reinforced concrete (RC) infrastructure. The effectiveness of the FRP strengthening
may however be compromised by premature debonding failure of the FRP prior to its ultimate strength being
reached. An efficient anchorage system to delay/prevent premature debonding failures in RC structural members
strengthened with FRP composites is therefore of importance to improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of
FRP strengthening systems. To date, several different types of anchorages have been applied to FRPstrengthened
RC members, namely embedded metal threads, U-jackets, near surface mounted rods, and anchors
made using FRP (i.e. FRP anchors). Embedded FRP anchors are particularly attractive as they are non-corrosive,
and can be applied to slabs and walls. Surprisingly little research however has been undertaken on FRP anchors.
This paper reports the results of a series of experiments aimed at determining the fundamental behaviour of FRP
anchors under pure tension (pull-out) loading. A detailed description of the anchor construction is firstly
presented followed by anchor tensile strength results. Pull-out test results of FRP anchors embedded into
concrete are then reported with particular attention focused on the failure mechanism, failure load, bond strength
and load-displacement response for a range of anchor tests with varying anchor hole diameter and embedment
depth.
