Structural behavior of stainless steel anchor channels embedded in concrete under perpendicular and longitudinal shear

Abstract

Stainless steel anchor channels with channel bolts (SSAC-CBs) have been chosen as alternatives to conventional carbon steel anchor channels to enhance corrosion resistance, ductility, and load-bearing capacity. This study evaluated the shear performance of SSAC-CBs embedded in concrete members under perpendicular and longitudinal shear loads using static monotonic tests. The failure modes and shear capacities of the specimens were compared with those obtained by finite element analysis (FEA) models established using ABAQUS. Concrete edge breakout failure accompanying the channel flexural yielding and channel bolt fracture dominated in the SSAC-CBs under perpendicular shear. The load–displacement curves for perpendicular shear exhibited four salient stages: initial linear elasticity, slippage, strain hardening, and damage and failure. Under longitudinal shear, the SSAC-CB specimens exhibited a failure of the serrations in the contact area between the serrated channel bolt head and channel lips and slip failure between the hook-type channel bolt and channel lips. In addition, the numerical analysis results indicated that the load-bearing capacities, initial elastic stiffnesses, and failure modes obtained through the FEA models were consistent with the test results. Furthermore, theoretical formulas were proposed for the shear capacity for SSAC-CBs under perpendicular and longitudinal shear. The research outcomes provide valuable guidance for the design and application of SSAC-CBs in engineering.