Prediction of concrete anchor pull-out failure using cohesive zone modeling

Abstract

Concrete anchor pull-out failure is predicted using the cohesive zone-based finite element analysis. For anchor pull-out tests, two sets of concrete specimens are prepared according to the curing temperatures. The displacement of an anchor steel bar is measured using the digital image correlation technique, and the cone failure surface is reconstructed using a 3D scanner. For each test set of concrete specimens, material properties such as the fracture energy, compressive strength, tensile strength, and elastic modulus are obtained from the three-point bending, cylindrical compression and indirect tension tests. Based on the measured material properties, the cohesive zone-based finite element analysis captures the load–displacement relationship of the anchor pull-out and three-point bending tests without the calibration of material properties. The experimental results demonstrate that the fracture energy is an essential material property to predict the concrete anchor pull-out failure, and thus the cohesive zone-based finite element analysis can provide accurate prediction of the anchor pull-out failure.