Although several experimental results on bond strength are available and splitting represents an important aspect of bond, only few studies have dealt with splitting-crack development. Splitting is a 3D phe- nomenon but only splitting-crack opening on concrete surface can easily…
Although several experimental results on bond strength are available and splitting represents an important aspect of bond, only few studies have dealt with splitting-crack development. Splitting is a 3D phe- nomenon but only splitting-crack opening on concrete surface can easily be measured. Accordingly, Finite Element analysis could help understanding splitting-crack development and bond behavior. However, FE studies are limited by the difficulty of correctly modeling bond. Main purpose of this research work is to de- velop a simple 3D interface FE model that could be used as a tool for establishing design criteria for anchor- ages and splices. Such a model is validated by simulating a set of experimental pull-out tests, representing an anchored deformed bar in the influence zone of one single stirrup along a splitting crack. Both bond-slip curve and splitting-crack opening could be modeled with good reliability. In spite of its simplicity, the pro- posed model provides a basis for studying more complex structural configurations.