Performance evaluation of the post-installed anchor for sign structure in South Korea

•Reconciliation of analytical and numerical analysis of the post-installed anchor system under pull-out and shear tests.•Development of Finite Element (FE) model of the anchor systems using 3D finite element package (ABAQUS).•Definition of limit state for the post-installed anchor system to achieve reliable design. In this study, numerous experimental tests for post-installed anchor systems used for sign structures in South Korea, drilled in hardened concrete were conducted in order to estimate pull-out and shear strength of the anchor based on three mechanical properties – torque ratio, embedment depth and diameter. In the pull-out tests, the pull-out strength of the anchor system depends significantly on all the three aforementioned parameters while in the shear tests, it was informed that the shear strength is not affected by torque ratio. It was also found that concrete cone failure or damage mechanism was generally observed during and after pull-out tests and in shear strength tests and that the anchor systems fail prior to the failure in the existing primary structural system. Furthermore, 3D finite element model for the anchor systems was created by ABAQUS to validate the experimental results using numerical analysis. It is shown that the formulated finite element model can be used to closely predict the load–displacement relationships as observed in the experimental tests. Further, we also propose a criterion for evaluating limit states to enable reliable design of the anchor systems using probabilistic fragility methodologies.