Title: Pull-out behavior of headed anchors used in a totally prefabricated counterfort retaining wall system
Date Published: January - February 2019
Volume: 64
Issue: 1
Page Numbers: 81 - 98
Authors: Maen Farhat, Mohsen Issa, and Bruno F. J. Prado
https://doi.org/10.15554/pcij64.1-04
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Abstract
The pull-out behavior of headed anchors used in a totally
prefabricated precast concrete counterfort retaining
wall system was examined experimentally and analytically
using nonlinear finite element analysis. Precast
concrete blocks (533 × 508 mm [21 × 20 in.]) having a
truncated shear pocket identical to those used in the totally
prefabricated counterfort retaining wall were prepared,
grouted with headed anchors, instrumented, and
experimentally tested. The study includes the following
parameters: two block thicknesses of 355 and 152 mm
(14 and 6 in.); two types of headed anchors and two
types of concrete grout certified by the Illinois Department
of Transportation; bar sizes 19M, 22M, 25M, and
29M (no. 6, 7, 8, and 9); and embedment depths of 317,
254, 203, and 152 mm (12.5, 10, 8, and 6 in.).
The blocks were tested under axial tensile loading conditions.
The structural behavior of the pull-out specimens
was characterized by the fracture of steel anchors,
regardless of their size and embedment depth. Concrete
breakout was witnessed in 355 mm (14 in.) thick
concrete specimens made with 29M headed anchors
and 152 mm (6 in.) embedment depth only when the
specimen was tested to ultimate. The experimental test
results were verified using finite element analysis and
compared with design methods and other studies in the
literature. The results showed close correlation with the
American Institute of Steel Construction’s guidelines.