Mechanical behavior of the U-anchor of super-CFRP rod under tensile loading

A suitable anchoring system is required to anchor a CFRP tendon due to its sensitivity in lateral pressure. Recent developed anchors are still relying on lateral pressure in anchoring CFRP tendons. A new CFRP unit equipped with U-anchor at both end of the rod body without any jointing (namely of Super CFRP, S-CFRP) has been developed. This paper presents the mechanical behavior as well as failure mechanism of U-anchor under direct loading and loaded under embedded within concrete, respectively. The rupture occurred on the circular part of U-anchor under direct loading. The stress concentration on circular loop was the cause of U-anchor rupture. Loading of U-anchor embedded within concrete indicated an optimum capacity. The failure was out of the anchor system. Finite element model of U-anchor embedded within concrete showed better stress distribution on anchor at rupture load such that the stress on U-anchor was lower than CFRP strength.