Three-Dimensional Modeling of Anchorage Zones in Reinforced Concrete

A model describing the bond between deformed reinforcement bars and concrete was developed, which considers the splitting stresses of the bond action. The model was previously verified against pullout tests of various geometries. In this study it is used in 3D finite-element analyses of different anchorage situations. One application was lapped reinforcement splices in beams and in frame corners. Another application was bars anchored in beam-ends with varying support conditions. When no additional confinement from the support reaction was present, splitting cracks appeared that reduced the anchorage capacity both in the analyses and in the tests. Analyses and tests of the anchorage at end regions of simply supported beams showed that the main part of the tensile force transfer between reinforcement and concrete takes place above or close to the support. It can be concluded that the bond model could describe the behavior of the different anchorage situations for both normal- and highstrength concrete in a satisfactory way, and thus can be used for further studies of different anchorage situations.