Failure analysis of anchors in shear under simulated seismic loads

This paper presents a study of the failure analysis of anchors in shear in simulated seismic loads. Ductile failure is critical for anchor design in seismic applications to avoid brittle catastrophe while existing design codes and guidelines that usually accept steel failure as ductile failure are insufficient, and may overestimate shear capacities and ductility. In this study ductility was evaluated based on both effective confinement due to anchor reinforcement and ductile steel. Those anchors with the proposed reinforcement showed a significantly high strength and exhibited great ductility due to effective confinement. Three types of anchor steel were also evaluated. The influences of failure modes, shear capacities and ductility of anchors were taken in account by defining exposed length. Test results indicated both effective confinement and specified ductile steel could ensure anchor have good seismic performance.

► Anchor seismic design for ductility could be achieved by effective confinement due to reinforcement and ductile steel. ► Effective reinforcement in anchor provides significant increase in both strength and ductility. ► Ductility of steel provides ductile deformation and also develops the strain hardening behavior. ► Ductility of anchor is correlated with failure modes and shear strength.