Anchors that were designed to be embedded deeper than the cover thickness in the hollow region exhibited a significant performance reduction (up to 35%). The coefficient of variation was also included in the discussion.

The failure modes of the anchors were compared, in addition to the peak load, the displacement at peak load and the stiffness. The behaviour of four types of anchors for non-structural applications was investigated, both in tension and shear loading conditions. Additionally, it is not always possible for the installer to establish where the web regions or the hollow regions are. The behaviour of anchors installed in the web regions can be assimilated to the behaviour of anchors installed in solid concrete, but the installation process can damage the prestressing strands. The shallow concrete cover in the hollow regions compromises both the tensile and the shear behaviour of anchors installed in these regions, as acknowledge in international standard. However, the behaviour of post-installed anchors in prestressed concrete hollow-core floors is still largely unknown, despite several guidelines and acceptance criteria being published and manufacturers having qualified products available. Extensive research has been published on the behaviour of these anchor for various seismic loads and substrate conditions. Post-installed anchors are used to connect structural and non-structural elements to the main concrete structure.

Anchors for hollow core concrete