Project

Anchorages to concrete foundations for steel braced frames must be designed for significant tensile (uplift) forces due to overturning effects and to develop the tensile capacity of diagonal braces. There is no experimental or scientific data to support the strength estimation or design of such anchorages. This research project will directly address the lack of test data and design guidelines for tension anchor bolt groups by conducting targeted experiments on practically detailed test specimens.

Specific objectives of the proposed study are –

1. To develop and disseminate fundamental understanding of the failure modes and force transfer mechanisms in anchor group details subjected to tension uplift;
2. To develop, validate and establish design provisions for these details that are otherwise specifically excluded from ACI 318-08 Appendix D;
3. To advocate for qualified details that can economically achieve design strength for high uplift forces, and
4. To develop a code change proposal for adoption by ACI 318 of the provisions and details proven by this research.

Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) Seismology Committee (Ryan Kersting)

Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC)