YOUNG SCIENTIST 2015

Static and fatigue behaviour of strip anchorages in CFRP

strengthening system

Bartosz Piątek
Rzeszow University of Technology
Department of Roads and Bridges, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture
e-mail: piatek@prz.edu.pl

Abstract
The paper presents the results of research on static and fatigue behaviour of mechanical anchorages used to
fasten CFRP strips in the new pre-tensioning system Neoxe Prestressing System II (NPS II). The anchorages use
the combination of friction, bonding and rivet clamping in one CFRP-steel joint. The aim of static test was to
check the efficiency of strip anchorage and to establish its carrying capacity and safety margin required for
design. The test was carried out on 5 series of full scale anchorages with 60 × 1.4 mm CFRP strips. The two first
series comprised specimens of old system (NPS I). In subsequent three series anchorages were modified and
upgraded based on the conclusions of previous series. In fatigue test specimens manufactured in the technology
used in the last series of static tests were examined. The main goal of fatigue test was to check the influence of
cyclic loads on the anchorage behaviour and to assess its fatigue resistance.

Key words: anchorage, CFRP strips, fatigue, prestressing, strengthening

1 Introduction

CFRP laminates have been used in civil engineeringfor more than 20 years. These materials
offer several advantages such as resistance to corrosion, a high strength to weight ratio and
unlimited delivery length (in sheet form), thus eliminating the need for joints. Thanks to these
advantages CFRP strips are ideal for strengthening existing structures. First research of
strengthening structures using externally bonded carbon laminates was conducted in EMPA
[1]. Strengthening by means of passive CFRP strips is already known and widely used.
The results of various research proves that efficiency of passive strengthening is limited. Only
30-35% CFRP tensile strength (ffu) could be utilized in Ultimate Limit State. This is because
adhesive capacity, which depends on the concrete cover's strength is insufficient to
fullyutilizecomposite tensile strength.
High tensile strength of carbon fibres can be utilized by prestressing and anchoring CFRP
laminates.Previous studies enable defining optimal prestressing level to strengthening
concrete structures at about 60% ffu [2]. Moreover prestressing results in an increase of
Bartosz P
Piątek

carryingg capacity, stiffness off concrete eelements and d reduction of deflectiion and cracck width
in compparison withh passive strrengtheningg.
In receent years several various v preestressing systems fo or CFRP strips hav ve been
developped[3, 4, 5]. Using and d modifyingg the Germ man solution n, first Pollish post-ten
nsioning
system was develooped [6]. Systems havve differentt prestressin ng and anchhoring methods. In
paper [7] second Polish streengthening system kno own as Neeoxe Prestreessing Systtem was
presenteed. This system was developed
d inn Research
h and Devellopment Deepartment of o Polish
companny Neoxe.
The maain problem m of streng gthening wwith prestressed strips has been the anchor zones.
Therefoore, just thesse elements have been still develop mproving [8]].
ping and im
The priimary anchhorage featu ure is its sstatic carryiing capacity
y. In orderr to determ mine this
parametter, static tensile testts were coonducted. However,
H while
w strenngthening concerns
c
structurres which are subjected to cycclic loads, fatigue reesistance issequally im mportant.
Therefoore fatigue tests were allso carried oout.
Test ressults provedd that the analyzed annchorages can be used to strenggthen constrructions.
Modificcations of teechnology led l to increaase of anchhorage efficiency up too 70% CFRP P tensile
strengthh. In fatiguee tests ancho
orages exhibbited great durability
d under cyclic loads.

2 Deescription
n of the an
nchoragess

The subbject of thee research is anchoragges used in n the second generatioon of streng gthening
system called Neoxe Prestressing System m (NPS II).. The system m consists of two anchorages:
passive and active. Both anch horages are made of tw wo outer an nd one inneer S355 steel plates
welded together alonga the edges
e to creeate a pocket, in which CFRP strip end is i fixed.
Dimenssions of plattes are adju
usted to the type of CF FRP strip. For
F 60 mm width strips typical
dimensiions of steeel plates arre 550 × 1228 mm. Th he end of th he strip is placed in thet steel
anchoraage pocket anda bonded with speciaal epoxy-baased multi-ccomponent gglue, heated d to cure
temperaature. It is followed by
b gripping of both materials
m (steeel plates aand CFRP strip in-
betweenn) with smaall rivets. The anchoragges transferr the tension n force fromm stretching device
to the eelement surrface by bo onding, riveet gripping and frictio on simultanneously. Th he active
anchoraage has twoo sets of ho oles: the firrst set is ussed to fix reaction bloock and tran nsfer the
tension force from stretching device
d and the second set is used to fix the st strip to stren
ngthened
structurre (Fig. 1).

Figurre 1: Steel anchorages:

a : a) passive and b) activ
ve with lead
ding rails annd reaction block
b
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UNG SCIENT
TIST 2015

3 Staatic tests

3.1 D
Description of the speccimens

Researcch of carryinng capacity y was conduucted in fiv

ve series (three specimeens of each h). In the
two firsst series ancchorages froom first genneration of Neoxe Presstressing Syystem (NPS S I) were
tested. TThe anchorages were made m of 2 mmm outer stteel plates. To fix steeel plates witth CFRP
strip staandard adheesive mix wasw used annd surfacess of both materials
m weere not subjjected to
a speciaal treatmentt. Rivet arraangement wwas shown in n Fig. 2. Sp
pecimens coonsist of CF FRP strip
with ancchorages at both ends (Fig.
( 4a).

holes for rivvets

Figure 2:: Steel anchhorage tested

d in series S1
S and S2

holes for rivvets

Figure 3: Steel ancchorage tested in seriess S3-S5

In the nnext series, anchoragees made w with new technology werew examiined. Modifications
include increasing the steel pllates thicknness to 3 mmm, changingg the numb er and arranngement
of rivetts (Fig. 3), compositio
on of adhessive and method of prreparing suurfaces. Botth fixing
surfacess were preppared by cheemical activvation and steel
s plates were additiionally sand
dblasted.
In this case CFRP P strips had
d anchoragee in one en nd, free end
d was proteected by alu uminium
plates (F
Fig. 4b).

a) b)

Figure 4: Specimens
S ffrom series a) S1 and S2, b) S3-S55

Two typpes of CFR RP strips weere used in the researcch: high-mo

odulus HM 614 strips with the
ultimatee tensile strrength 2800 0 GPa and tthe strain at
0 MPa, moddulus of elaasticity 250 a failure
Bartosz P
Piątek

about 1%% (series S1), as well as high-streength HS 614 strips wiith the ultim
mate tensile strength
2600 M
MPa, moduluus of elasticcity 170 GP ure about 1 .5% (seriess S2-S5).
Pa and the sttrain at failu
Results obtained ini subsequeent series ((S3–S5) an nd observations of speecimens' beehaviour
allowedd to make some
s minorr technologiical modification. Thaanks to this , the techno ology of
manufaccturing anchhorages was improved from seriess to series.

3.2 R
Research meethodology
y

All speccimens weree subjected to axial tennsile test in testing macchine Instronn J1D 1200 0 kN.The
tests weere conductted under displacemen
d nt control att a rate of 2 mm/min. Increment of force
and dissplacement were measured. Failuure modes were also o recorded by cameraa Vision
Researcch Phantom v640, whicch can save more than 2000 2 frames per secondd (Fig. 5).

w high fraame frequen

Figgure 5: Recoording of faailure mode s using videeo camera with ncy

3.3 R
Results

The ressults of stattic tests weere collectedd in Table 1. Values of failure lload and an nchorage
efficienncy (definedd as the ratiio of specimmen failuree load to CFFRP tensilee strength) for each
specimeen were givven. Additiionally stanndard deviaation and variability
v ccoefficient for
f each
series w
were presentted. Figure 4 shows thee load – disp placement plots
p for thee maximum value of
failure fforce of eacch series.

Tab
ble 1: Colleective resultts of static teests
Faailure load Anchorrage efficien
ncy Sttandard Vaariability
Test
[kN] [%] deeviation co
oefficient
series
P1 P22 P3 Mean P1 P22 P3 Mean [kN] [%]
S1 91 1111 129 110 39 47
7 55 47 19.4 17.5
S2 103 1220 103 109 47 55
5 47 50 9.6 8.8
S3 126 1558 151 145 58 2
72 69 66 16.7 11.5
S4 166 1444 156 156 76 66
6 71 71 11.4 7.3
S5 177 1660 217 185 81 73
3 99 85 29.2 15.8
 YOUNG SCIENTIST 2015

Anchorages of NPS I system, examined in series S1 and S2, exhibited efficiency about 50%.
Changes in technology of fixing steel plates and CFRP strips resulted in increase of anchorage
efficiency to 66%. Thanks to successive improvements, repeatable anchorage efficiency
higher than 70% can be obtained. It is sufficient value for post-tensioning system because
optimal strengthening effects are obtained with prestressing level about 60-70% of CFRP
tensile strength [2].

220
200
180
160
140
Load [kN]

120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Displacement [mm]
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5

Figure 6: Maximum load – displacement plot for specimens from each series

4 Fatigue tests

4.1 Description of the specimens

In order to determine fatigue resistance and examine anchorage behaviour under cyclic load,
fatigue tests were conducted. Specimens manufactured in the same technology as in the last
series of static test were used.

4.2 Research methodology

Tests were conducted in tensile testing machine with thepulsator under load control. It is
important to write, that there is a lack of guidelines for how CFRP anchorages should be
examined under fatigue loads. Individual research was planned according to Guideline for
European Technical Approval of Post-tensioning Kits for Prestressing of Structures [9]. These
guidelines contain recommendations for fatigue tests of anchorages of the tensile steel
members and define upper load level at 65% characteristic tensile strength of members.
Presstressing by steel cables is performed up to 80% tensile strength. In the analysed Neoxe
Prestressing System the upper value of prestress level was defined as 60% tensile strength of
CFRP strip. Therefore, upper load level has been reduced appropriately. Comparison of
parameters used in individual research and contained in ETAG [9] was presented in Table 2.
Bartosz Piątek

Table 2: Parameters of fatigue tests

Research on post-tensioning
Individual research on
Parameters members anchorages
CFRP strip anchorages
according to ETAG [9]
Tensile strength ffu=2600 MPa Rm=1860 MPa
Prestressing level max 60% ffu about 80% Rm
Upper load level 50% ffu 65% Rm
Stress amplitude 130 MPa (5% ffu) 80 MPa (4,3% Rm)
Frequency 5 Hz < 10 Hz
Number of cycles 3 million 2 million

Specimen P1 was examined according to parameters contained in Table 2. After 3 million

cycles of load the specimen was not destroyed and did not show any damage. Therefore, it
was decided to increase the upper load level to 55% ffu for specimen P2. Similarly for
specimen P3 the upper load level was increased to 60% ffu. Collective of all load values was
shown in Table 3.

Table 3: Load values for consecutive specimens

Fmax σmax/ffu Fmean Fmin ΔF Fmin/Fmax
Specimen
[kN] [%] [kN] [kN] [kN] [-]
P1 109.2 50 103.7 98.3 10.9 0.9
P2 120.1 55 114.1 108.1 12.0 0.9
P3 131.0 60 124.5 117.9 13.1 0.9

In the first step all specimens were subjected to static load up to mean load value (Fmean).
Then sinusoidal cyclic load with a frequency of 5 Hz was started (Fig. 7).

Fmax
Load [kN]

Fmean ΔF

Fmin

0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1

Time [s]

Figure 7: Plot describing the load variation in time

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UNG SCIENT
TIST 2015

4.3 R
Results

All testted specimeens after 3 million ccycles (acco ording to Table

T 3) w
were not deestroyed.
Moreovver specimenns P1 and P2,P after unnloading, didd not show any damagge (Fig. 8a, b). Only
one speecimen P3, which
w was subjected tto higher loads has und
dergone minnor damagee. A part
of carboon fibres waas separated
d and fragm
ment of CFRP sheet wass damaged ((Fig.8c).

aa) b) c)

F
Figure 8: View of speccimensa) P1, b) P2, c) P3
P after testts

6
6,00

5,00
Displacement [mm]

4
4,00

3,00 Static loaad: 0.0 - 103.7 kN

k
Maximum m load in cyclee: 109.2 kN
2
2,00 Mean loaad in cycle: 103 3.7 kN
Mimimu um load in cyclee: 98.3 kN
1,00

0
0,00
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3
N
Number of cy
ycles [×106]

Figuure 9: Displacement – nnumber of cycles

c plot for
f specimeen P1
7,00

6,00
Displacements [mm]

5,00

4,00
Maximum displacements
d for
f specimen P33
3,00
Maximum displacements
d for
f specimen P22
2,00
Maximum displacements
d for
f specimen P11
1,00

0,00
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3
N
Number of cyccles [×106]

Figure 10:
1 Displaceement – num
mber of cyccles plot forr specimens P1 – P3
Bartosz Piątek

During the tests, displacement increase with increasing number of cycles was observed.
Exemplary displacement – number of cycles plot for specimen P1 was shown in Fig. 9.
Displacement increase occurs only by the first 500,000 cycles. Displacements subsequently
stabilize. The total increase of displacement was between 0,7 mm for specimen P2 to 1,3 mm
for specimen P3 (Fig. 10). Displacement increase was mainly due to slipping CFRP strips
from the anchorage. It was visible during the test.

5 Conclusions

The paper presents static and fatigue tests of CFRP strip anchorages used in new
strengthening system Neoxe Prestressing System II. The aim of research was to check the
carrying capacity and fatigue resistance of anchorages, as well as define the maximum
prestressing level of the system. Thanks to the improved manufacturing technology,
repeatable anchorage efficiency higher than 70% ffu can be obtained. It is sufficient value for
post-tensioning system because optimal strengthening effects are obtained with prestressing
level about 60-70% ffu. Taking into account a safety margin, maximum prestressing level
equal 60% ffu was defined. Fatigue tests proved that it is possible to use NPS II for
strengthening constructions under cyclic loads (i.e. bridges).

References

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