Bond strength of cement grouted glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) anchor bolts

Abstract

Fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) has recently been introduced in the market in the form of bars for grouted anchor bolts. The resistance to corrosion and chemical attacks, high strength-to-weight ratio, low electromagnetic properties and ease in handling of these bars make them a better alternative to steel in some applications of grouted anchor bolts. However, to fully utilise FRP bars as tendons for cement grouted anchors, some aspects of their behaviour have to be determined, including load carrying capacity, bond strength in cement grout, long-term strength and durability in alkaline environments. In this paper, the load carrying capacity and bond strength of cement grouted glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) anchor bolts are discussed in comparison with steel anchor bolts. The results of laboratory and field pull-out tests of GFRP and steel bars anchored with cement grout are presented. The pull-out tests were conducted on four types of GFRP bars and two types of steel bars installed in concrete blocks and rock mass. The experimental results have shown that the bond strength of GFRP bar anchor bolts is close to that of steel bar anchor bolts. The slip at failure of GFRP bars relative to the cement grout is greater than that of steel bars, mainly due to their low modulus of elasticity.