Tensile behaviors of stainless steel anchor channel systems embedded in concrete: Experimental and numerical analyses

Abstract

Stainless steel anchor channels with channel bolts (SSAC-CBs) are extensively used in reinforced concrete structures subjected to corrosive environments owing to the excellent heat and corrosion resistance, appreciable inelastic deformation capacity, and high ductility of stainless steel. However, limited tests and numerical simulations have been conducted describing the tensile behaviors of SSAC-CB assemblies. We therefore conducted static monotonic tension tests to investigate the structural behaviors of SSAC-CBs embedded in concrete in terms of failure mode, tensile load-bearing capacity, ductility, and plastic development response. The test variables included the anchor/channel profile type, stainless steel grade, and tensile load position. The SSAC-CB specimens exhibited three dominant failure modes in tension: combined yielding of the channel lips and webs, flexural deformation of the channel, and concrete splitting. The ductility ratios of the test specimens ranged from 4.56 to 8.45, indicating a significant inelastic deformation capacity. Based on the maximum tensile loads obtained in the experiments, the ultimate limit state principle was employed to recommend tensile design resistances according to anchor channel type. In addition, nonlinear finite element analysis models were constructed in ABAQUS using three-dimensional solid elements to facilitate detailed investigations of the tensile behaviors of SSAC-CBs embedded in concrete; the numerically obtained failure modes and loads agreed well with the experimental responses. Finally, the experimental data were applied to propose and validate analytical expressions for the tensile load-bearing capacities of SSAC-CBs embedded in concrete corresponding to their different failure modes under tensile load.