Nonlinear full-range analysis of load transfer in fixed segment of tensile anchors

A novel nonlinear shear-slipping model(named as biexponential model) as well as the load transfer solutions was firstly developed for predicting the full-range interfacial behavior of the tensile anchor. The features of the load transfer and the load-displacement curve during the full-range process of pullout were studied in detail. The measured results from the laboratory and in-situ experiments were used to verify the load transfer solutions and the above predicted features of the tensile anchor. The biexponential model was found to describe reasonably the nonlinear and softening behavior of the anchoring interface of tensile anchor. The axial forces and displacements calculated from the load transfer solutions agree well with the measured values. During the full-range pullout process, the load transfer in the fixed segment of the tensile anchor exhibits a loading and a sliding stage. During the loading stage, the shear stress distribution evolves from a monotone decaying curve with the maximum value at the pull end into a single peak curve, and then further evolves into the other monotone decay curve with the maximum value at the far end during the sliding stage. The load-displacement curve is a single peak curve and the peak is approximately flat when the anchorage length is large.