Influence of geometrical and installation parameters on performance of CFRP anchors

This paper presents an experimental study of the geometrical and installation parameters affecting the maximum strength, failure mode and load-slip response of FRP anchors. In this study, single-shear tests were conducted on isolated carbon fibre ropes embedded in concrete to identify the variables that have a greater influence on the capacity of FRP anchors. Special attention was paid to variables influencing the stress concentration in the bending region. The parameters under evaluation included fabrication and installation method, embedment length, smoothing of the hole edge, hole diameter and dowel angle. The results demonstrate that increasing the embedment length leads to a proportional increase of maximum stress. Dowel angle and smoothing techniques can be combined to improve the anchor's performance, as it was observed that both parameters reduce stress concentration and therefore enable higher bend strength.