Design and evaluation of fiber-reinforced polymer bond-type anchorages and ground anchors

This paper presents laboratory tests on a bond-type anchorage system and a full-scale ground anchor with fiber-reinforced polymer 9-bar tendons. A cement-based mortar filled steel tube was used to simulate a rock mass environment. Resistance strain gauges, fiber optic sensors, embedded strain gauges, and linear variable displacement transducers were used to monitor the behavior of the anchor and to study load transfer mechanism of the tendon to surrounding rock mass. The test results show that the developed bond-type anchorage performs well for post-tensing applications with the tendons. The tested anchor presents an acceptable tensile behavior for each loading stage investigated (up to a load level of 0.6f_fu, where f_fu=guaranteed capacity of the tendon) in accordance with existing codes. The anchor is similar in strain distribution profile to conventional steel anchors, except giving a shorter load transfer length. It is expected that the anchor require a minimum anchor bonded length of 2,000 mm with plain cement grouts.