Seismic design of anchorages using post-installed reinforcing bars

The use of post-installed reinforcing bars with injectable polymer grouts have increased significantly in the last decade. Very common applications are connections between reinforced concrete beams/slabs and columns/walls or reinforced concrete columns/walls and foundations subjected to static, quasistatic, and seismic loading. The design of such connections for this latter loading condition is clearly limited by the need to use straight reinforcing bars. Consequently, a clear understanding of the load-displacement behavior of the postinstalled reinforcing bars, the applicable loading and installation conditions, and the stresses introduced in the concrete members is required. In this paper seismic design methods based on Eurocode 8, Eurocode 2, and a new approach considering the actual seismic bond-splitting performance of the adhesive are compared to some case studies where post-installed reinforcing bar systems are used for moment resisting connections. Through the design of typical connections, the challenges and the opportunities associated with the use of post-installed reinforcing bars and their proper design are explored.