Shear behavior of headed anchors with large diameters and deep embedments in concrete

This paper presents shear test results for large cast-in-place anchor bolts in concrete. The tests were performed to evaluate the shear performance of large anchors, that is, anchors with diameter greater than 2 in. (50 mm) or embedment depth greater than 25 in. (635 mm), which are not addressed by ACI 318-08, Appendix D and ACI 349-06, Appendix D. The tests were also intended to investigate the safety of such anchors for use in nuclear power plants. The test results are used to assess the applicability of existing design formulas valid for smaller anchors to large anchors. Suggestions are made for incorporating the effects of deep embedment or large diameter in existing design provisions for cast-in-place anchor bolts under shear load.