Design of Seismic Tests on Post-installed Anchors for Concrete and Masonry Applications

This paper discusses the design of an experimental campaign with the aim of studying the seismic behaviour of different types of post-installed anchors for concrete and masonry applications. The laboratory tests involve the study of fasteners with different functioning principles, namely bond, expansion and undercut. A preliminary literature review of actual codes and guidelines focused on this topic led to select a tri-axial shaking-table test. These norms has been also considered to define both the dynamic input to be applied and the testing procedure. A FE model has been developed to define the layout of structures to be tested. This led to select two cross-shaped structures – four walls each – in order to reproduce different support conditions for the considered fixtures: full RC structure and RC frame with infill masonry walls. The influence of cracks on the behaviour of anchors are also considered in the design of the RC structure. The numerical model has been also used to define the mass to be applied on each anchor. Both selection and design of fasteners were also based on the actual guidelines on this field. Finally the paper presents the definition of quantities to be monitored and adopted instruments to analyse relevant accelerations and displacements.