Design and analysis of a composite wire-socket attachment

A detailed study of the feasibility of anchoring fiber reinforced plastic wires for civil engineering applications is presented. An experimental investigation using tensile testing machines is performed, testing anchorages of 1, 7 and 19 wires. Conventional strain gage and acoustic emission measurement techniques are used. The tests are essential in determining the failure load and failure mode. However, the experimental data alone do not provide enough information about the behavior of the anchorage to be used exclusively in the design process. The results are used to modify the design of the anchorage system. It is shown that for a successful anchorage system the choice of material for the load transfer medium is crucial. A solution is presented to overcome the high stress concentration at the load entry area of the wire into the anchor.

A finite element analysis of the anchors for 1 and for 19 wires is used to assess the stress and strain fields inside the anchor, to validate the analytical model, and to determine locations of possible high stress concentrations. Three-dimensional and one-dimensional models, that utilize axisymmetry, are evaluated. The results of the numerical analysis are used to demonstrate the improvement as a result of a change in material choice or design of the anchor. It is shown that the modification of the load transfer medium results in a decrease of 30 % of the average stress level.

In the analytical investigation, several common models are introduced that describe the fiber pullout behavior. Based on a recent treatment by C. H. Hsueh, a model is developed that describes the anchorage of a wire in a conical shaped socket using orthotropic materials. This model includes boundary conditions that are similar to the ones observed in the experiments. A parametric study is performed to obtain information on the ideal geometry of the anchor system.

The results and predictions of the applied techniques, i. e. analytical description, finite element method and experimental investigation, are compared and contrasted. Based on the analytical, numerical and experimental results, recommendations for improving the design of the anchor system are made.

Subsequently, a modified anchor system is proposed that utilizes the properties of a load transfer medium that has a variable stiffness. The inclusion of a pure resin collar and supporting wires is suggested. For a successful completion of this project, ideas are proposed and suggestions made for future work.