Comparison of post-installed and cast-in rebars under monotonic and cyclic loads

In current design practice post - installed rebars are widely used in structural applications. Their design rules are limited by international codes to the performance of the corresponding cast-in reinforcement bars, albeit they show a higher bond strength. Moreover, the use of straight bars is definitely forbidden in dissipation zone such as beam-to-column joints. The presented paper is intended to assess the performance of cast-in and post-installed rebars designed according to reference codes under the application of cyclic and monotonic loads. To this purpose, experimental tests using a modified beam-end specimen were performed. Two different diameters were selected (db = 12, 16 mm); bonding lengths were determined to account for the promotion of steel failure. Cyclic tests were conducted by applying a repeated stepwise increasing load history (up to fifty-nine repetitions), adapted from test protocols used in the seismic assessment of post-installed anchors.