Assessment of transmission of the shear stress in potted anchors for composite rods 1. Sleeve of constant thickness

The key problem facing the application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) stay cables and tendons is the anchorage. Potted (bond-type) anchors have been used more extensively than anchors of any other type. The main aim in the design of anchors is to minimize the peak shear stress at the FRP rod-pottant interface. To this end, parametric analyses of the stress state in the anchors are carried out. Since parametric studies can not be easily performed by the finite-element method, an analytical model of the anchor is proposed. The model involves significant simplifying assumptions and allows one to obtain a relatively simple analytical solution for shear-stress distributions at the FRP rod-pottant interface. The use of this solution at various boundary conditions and various geometrical and mechanical parameters of anchor components enables one to search for and evaluate, at least qualitatively, different methods for decreasing the peak interfacial shear stress in the anchor. In this part of the investigation, an anchor consisting of a sleeve of constant thickness is considered.