Creep Design of Epoxy Bonded Anchor System

This article presents a systematic study on creep design of epoxy bonded anchor system. First, a theoretical model for prediction of long-term performance of an anchor system is suggested assuming epoxy layer following Maxwell visco-elastic behavior, which is then validated through an ABAQUS numerical model. A close match between the ABAQUS result and the theoretical model has been reached. Next, a general-purpose methodology for estimating creep capacity of an adhesive bonded anchor system is suggested following AC58 and two creep capacity equations are reached for Model Dry Epoxy and Model Wet Epoxy bonded anchor systems. The derived creep capacity is then used to re-examine the Boston D Tunnel anchor design and a safe design is reached through the suggested method considering the anchor system's long-term creep performance. Last, the ABAQUS model is extended to include the effect of curing temperatures, which shows significant influences of curing temperature on the capacity of an epoxy bonded anchor system.