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Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 242 – 249

International Conference on Analytical Models and New Concepts in Concrete and Masonry
Structures AMCM’2017

Influence of headed anchor group layout on concrete failure in

tension
Marek WĊglorza*
a
Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 5,Gliwice, 44-100, Poland

Abstract

In calculation of steel and concrete foundation joints, design of anchors in concrete is significantly important.
Currently, design of anchors in concrete is based on the Technical Specification CEN/TS 1992-4: Design of fastenings for use in
concrete which has already a status of a pre-standard.
This theoretical study is focused on modification factors which influence characteristic resistance of headed steel anchor group
embedded in concrete and subjected to axial tension only. The effect of overlapping of the concrete failure cones of individual
anchors within the group on characteristic resistance modification factors was considered.
The aim of the paper is to show influence of particular modification factors considered in case of the narrow RC-members and in
case of disturbance of the distribution of stresses in concrete due to boundary edges. These two effects usually influence
resistance in tension of anchors embedded in the columns (edge breakout). Also, the additional strength due to presence of so
called “anchor reinforcement” extended into the area of the concrete breakout cone is mentioned.
©©2017
2017TheTheAuthors. Published
Authors. by Elsevier
Published Ltd. This
by Elsevier Ltd.is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Analytical Models and New
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Concepts inunder responsibility
Concrete of the scientific
and Masonry committee of the International Conference on Analytical Models and New Concepts in
Structures.
Concrete and Masonry Structures
Keywords: CEN/TS 1992-4; headed anchor group; characteristic resistance in tension; concrete cone failure; anchor reinforcement

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +48-32-237-23-35; fax: +48-32-237-22-88.

E-mail address: marek.weglorz@polsl.pl

1877-7058 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Analytical Models and New Concepts in Concrete and
Masonry Structures
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2017.06.210
 Marek Węglorz / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 242 – 249 243

1. Introduction

The proper anchorage of a steel structure in a concrete foundation has always represented the crucial problem for
satisfying safety and economic requirements in civil engineering. Any failure in joint between steel and concrete
may result in collapse or partial collapse of the structure, cause risk to human life or lead to significant economic
loss. In addition, any failure in the anchorage is difficult in repair. Due to these facts, defining transparent design
rules for anchors is particularly important.
Currently, design of steel-and concrete joints, and in particular – base plates, is a subject of EN 1993-1-8 [3].
Nevertheless, the Eurocode 3 does not provide the specific design procedure for design of anchors embedded in
concrete. Therefore, principles for these specific steel-and-concrete joints shall be find elsewhere - anchors
embedded in concrete became a subject of the Technical Specification CEN/TS 1992-4:2009 [1], [2]. This Technical
Specification is used in many European countries as a pre-standard. It is based on CEB design guide with additions
based on fib Bulletin No. 58, 2011, guide for good practice prepared by the fib Special Activity Group 4 “Fastenings
to Structural Concrete and Masonry Structures” [4]. It describes the general principles and requirements for safety,
serviceability and durability of fasteners for use in concrete, together with specific requirements for structures
serving as base material for the fasteners. The scope of CEN/TS 1992-4 “Design of fastenings for use in concrete”
includes: headed anchors, post-installed mechanical and chemical anchors, anchor channels and post-installed
reinforcing bars. Part 1 of CEN/TS 1992-4 presents general rules and is applicable to all products. Special rules
applicable to particular products are given in the parts from 2 to 5 of the series CEN/TS 1992-4. These parts should
be used only in conjunction with part 1.
The transformation of CEN/TS 1992-4 into a harmonized standard is being done in the period 2012÷2016. The
standard was accepted by CEN/TC 250 in June 2015 and is due to be finalized.
Fields of application of the standard refer to: the fastenings with cast-in headed anchors and anchor channels as
well as post-installed mechanical and chemical anchors and reinforcing bars in cracked and uncracked concrete
under static, fatigue and seismic loading as well as fire. Comprehensive review of current design methods is given in
the book [6].
This paper is focused on one, popular technique of anchors: cast-in headed anchors. For the purpose of this paper,
the assumption was made that the quadruple anchor group consists of the individual headed anchors made of steel
rods with the square base plates. Characteristic resistance of this anchor group is checked for a pinned column base
connection in axial tension.
In particular, the geometric effect of axial spacing and edge distance on the characteristic resistance of the anchor
group is analyzed in case of the concrete cone breakout. The procedure to calculate resistance of the intersecting
concrete failure cones for the quadruple anchor group is presented. This effect is considered in case when anchor
arrangement is limited by boundary conditions, and in particular: the column’s edge. In addition, the formula to use
the column’s vertical reinforcement for taking up tension loads is cited after CEN/TC 1992-4.

Nomenclature

Ac0,N reference projected area; in principle: Ac , N = scr , N ⋅ s cr , N = (2 ⋅ 1.5hef )(2 ⋅ 1.5hef ) = 9hef
0 2

Ac,N actual projected area, limited by overlapping concrete cones of adjacent fasteners as well as by edges of the
concrete member
N tension force
NRd,a design resistance of the supplementary reinforcement
NRk,c characteristic tensional resistance of a group of anchors in case of concrete cone failure
o
N Rk ,c characteristic tensional resistance of a single anchor placed not influenced by adjacent fasteners or edges of
the concrete member
c distance from center of an anchor to the edge of concrete member c ” ccr,N
ccr,N characteristic edge distance for ensuring the transmission of the characteristic resistance of a single anchor;
in principle: ccr,N = 1.5hef
dS diameter of the reinforcing bar
244 Marek Węglorz / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 242 – 249

eN eccentricity of the resulting tensile load acting on the tensioned fasteners, CEN/TS 1992-4-1, p. 5.2
fbd design bond strength according to EN 1992-1-1, taking into account the concrete cover of the
supplementary reinforcement
fck characteristic compressive cylinder strength of concrete at 28 days
fck,cube characteristic cube strength of the concrete strength class but noting the limitations given in the relevant
European Technical Specification
hef effective embedment depth
kcr factor to take into account the influence of load transfer mechanisms for applications in cracked concrete
kucr factor to take into account the influence of load transfer mechanisms for applications in uncracked concrete
l1 anchorage length of the supplementary reinforcement in the assumed failure cone; l1 • lb,min
lbd design anchorage length according to EN 1992-1-1
lb,min minimum anchorage length; lb,min • 4ds for anchorage with bends, hooks or loops or lb,min • 10ds for
anchorage with straight bars with or without welded transverse bars
n number of legs of the supplementary reinforcement effective for one anchor
pk characteristic concrete pressure under the head
s center to center spacing of anchors s ” scr,N
scr,N characteristic spacing for ensuring the transmission of the characteristic resistance of a single anchor;
in principle: scr,N = 2ccr,N = 3hef
Į influencing factor according to EN 1992-1-1, Table 8.2; for straight bars Į = 1.0, for hooked bars Į = 0.7
ψ s, N factor for disturbance of the distribution of stresses in concrete due to edges of the concrete member
ψ re , N factor for the effect of a dense reinforcement for embedment depths (shell spalling)
ψ ec , N factor for a group effect when different tension loads are acting on the individual anchors of a group
σL stresses in concrete induced by external loads including fastener loads
σR stresses in concrete due to restraint of intrinsic imposed deformations (e.g. shrinkage of concrete) or
extrinsic imposed deformations (e.g. due to displacement of support or temperature variations)
σadm admissible tensile stress for the definition of uncracked concrete

2. General design rules of CEN/TS 1992-4-1

2.1. Loading of anchors

Loading on the anchor resulting from the actions on the fixture (e.g. tension, shear, bending or torsion moments)
will generally be axial tension and/or shear [1]. In the paper only axial tension is considered.
The following assumption is made according to CEN/TS 1992-4: design value of tension loads acting on each
individual anchor from the anchor group, due to the design values of normal forces and bending moments acting on
the fixture, may be calculated assuming a linear distribution of strains across the fixture and a linear relationship
between strains and stresses. The assumption of a linear distribution of strains is valid only if the fixture is rigid and
does not deform significantly. Therefore, the base plate should remain elastic under design actions and its
deformation should be compatible with the displacement of the fasteners, see p. 5.2 [1].

2.2. Determination of the concrete condition

In the region of the fastening, concrete may be cracked or uncracked. Therefore, engineering judgment is
required to define the condition of concrete. In general, it is always conservative to assume that concrete is cracked.
Uncracked concrete may be assumed if it is proven that under service conditions the anchor with its entire depth
is located in uncracked concrete. This will be satisfied by Equation (1) (compressive stresses are negative):

σ L + σ R ≤ σ adm (1)
 Marek Węglorz / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 242 – 249 245

If no detailed analysis is conducted, then σR = 3 MPa should be assumed. This value is used in EN 1992-1-
1:2004 when calculating the minimum reinforcement to limit crack widths. Also, it is recommended that
σadm = 0 MPa (precise value may be found in a Country’s National Annex).

2.3. Failure modes for the headed anchors

Technical specification CEN/TS 1992-4-1 defines the following failure modes under tension loading:
• pull-out failure,
• concrete cone failure,
• concrete blow-out failure,
• splitting failure,
• steel failure.
In this paper concrete cone failure is particularly considered with relation to the geometric effect of axial spacing
and edge distance on the characteristic resistance of the anchor group.
The concrete cone failure is focused especially on the group of anchors close to edges (edge breakout). The
concrete cone is idealized as a pyramid with a height equal to hef. In principle, the base of reference projected
concrete failure area of a single anchor is approximated as a square that results from projecting the failure surface
outward ccr,N = 0.5scr,N = 1.5hef from the centerlines of the anchor, see Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. The theoretical shape of the failure concrete cone (pyramid) for the narrow member and a quadruple, symmetrical anchor group under
tension: c ” ccr,N and s ” scr,N.

With relation to the concrete cone formation, the role of supplementary reinforcement for increasing ductility is
mentioned in chapter 6.2.2 of CEN/TS 1992-4-2 [2], which is presented here below, in p. 3.2.

3. Design rules of CEN/TS 1992-4-2 which refer to concrete cone failure

3.1. Concrete cone failure for the anchor group

For the purpose of this paper, an anchor head is defined as a plate or bolt head used to transmit anchor loads from
the tensile stress component to concrete by bearing.
246 Marek Węglorz / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 242 – 249

Anchor bolts should be designed to fail in a ductile manner, therefore the anchor bolts should reach yielding prior
to the concrete brittle failure. This is achieved by ensuring that the calculated concrete strength exceeds the
minimum specified tensile strength of the steel.
According to the tests results cited in [4], brittle failure of an isolated anchor bolt is achieved by pulling out of a
concrete cone radiating out approximately at 35 degrees from the anchor head towards the concrete surface which,
in general, comply with the concrete cone (pyramid) geometry according to CEN/TS 1992-4. However, in current
approach, the influence of the anchor head size on the concrete failure cone geometry is disregarded.
Behavior of the anchor group in CEN/TS 1992-4 is predicted under assumption that interaction occurs between
individual anchors connected by a common fixture (e.g base plate capable for distributing loads to the individual
anchors within the anchor group). Every anchor from the group shall exhibit roughly the same stiffness (the same
type, the same size and embedment depth are required). It is assumed that interaction between individual anchors (or
adjoined anchor groups) loaded in tension is present if the axial spacing s between centerlines of the individual
anchors is less than the characteristic axial spacing for concrete cone failure scr,N = 3hef.
The characteristic tensional resistance NRk,c of an anchor group in case of the concrete cone failure may be
obtained by equation (2), with coefficients defined in p. 4.

Ac , N
N Rk ,c = N Rk
o
,c ⋅ ⋅ψ s , N ⋅ψ re, N ⋅ψ ec, N (2)
Ac0, N

Characteristic tensional resistance of a single anchor placed in cracked concrete and not influenced by adjacent
fasteners or edges of the concrete member is obtained by equation (3).

, c = k cr
o
N Rk f ck ,cube hef1.5 [N] (3)

When uncracked concrete is considered, the characteristic tensional resistance of a single anchor not influenced
by adjacent anchors or edges of the concrete member is obtained by equation (4).

, c = k ucr
o
N Rk f ck ,cube hef1.5 [N] (4)

where: fck,cube [N/mm2] and hef [mm].

The values kcr and kucr depend on the concrete pressure pk under the head. According to current experience, for
headed anchors, kcr = 8.5 in cracked concrete and kucr = 11.9 in uncracked concrete. However, it is recommended
that the actual values for the particular anchors are taken from the relevant European Technical Specification.

3.2. Anchor reinforcement

If reinforcement in the foundation is extended into the area of the failure cone, additional strength would be
present in practice since the nominal capacity of the failure cone is based on the strength of non-reinforced concrete.
Therefore, in order to fully develop the strength of anchor, it requires the use of significantly large concrete block
and usually needs large anchorage length to fulfill concrete cone failure condition. Thankfully, in most situations
reinforcement is present in concrete which could be qualify as anchor reinforcement (e.g. stirrups, vertical
reinforcement in columns, etc.). The anchor reinforcement allows decreasing required anchor embedment length.
This supplementary reinforcement is used to transfer the full design load from the anchors.
Therefore, the anchor reinforcement should be designed to carry the tension forces in concrete associated with
concrete cone failure (in case of tension loading) or a concrete edge failure (in case of shear loading). Where anchor
reinforcement is provided, the calculation of the characteristic resistances with the concrete cone failure and
concrete edge failure modes is replaced by a check of the characteristic resistance associated with the anchor
reinforcement (steel and bond resistance).
 Marek Węglorz / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 242 – 249 247

Furthermore, in case of the anchor group arranged parallel to the edge with small edge distance c, anchor
reinforcement is highly advisable, see fib guidance [4]. It is due to fact, that the fib model is simplified and it
assumes that the edge influences the whole group and not only anchors closest to the edge. Therefore, this
assumption, for small distance c, may be non-conservative.
Among all, the supplementary reinforcement to take up tension loads should comply with specific requirements
shown in Fig. 2. In particular, the same diameter of the reinforcement should be provided for all anchors of a group
and the reinforcement should be placed as close to the anchors as practicable, with a center-to-center distance
İ 0.75hef from the anchor centerline.

Fig. 2. Exemplary anchor reinforcement taking up tension loads (see Fig. 1, cross section A-A).

The design resistance NRd,a of the supplementary reinforcement of one fastener is given by an equation (5):

l1 ⋅ π ⋅ d S ⋅ f bd
N Rd ,a = ¦ (5)
n α

Importance of supplementary reinforcement on behavior of headed fastenings is mentioned elsewhere in

literature. Among all, the results of experimental verification of the rules given in CEN/TS 1992-4-2 are presented
in INFASO (Innovative Fastening Solutions between Steel and Concrete) design manual [5]. This document refers
to concrete and steel structure joints and presents results of comprehensive research and design programs developed
within the European Project.

4. Effect of axial spacing and edge distance on the anchor group tensional resistance

Tensional resistance of the anchor group is particularly influenced by two geometric effects: the effect of a
narrow member, and the effect of the disturbance of the distribution of stresses in concrete due to edges.
The minimum values for spacing s and edge distance c shall be defined in the relevant European Technical
Specification. According to fib guidance: smin = 5d • 50 mm, cmin = 3d • 50 mm, where d – diameter of the shank of
the headed anchor, see Table 18-1 in fib Bulletin No. 58 [4]. In addition, these values are affected by the anchor
head size.
In this paper, the other effects considered in CEN/TS: the effect of shell spalling in case of a dense reinforcement
for embedment depths hef < 100mm and the effect of the eccentricity of the load were neglected, see p. 4.3.

4.1. Effect of a narrow member

In case of anchor group in a narrow member, hef shall be substituted by larger hef′ value from equation (6):
248 Marek Węglorz / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 242 – 249

cmax s
hef′ = hef or hef′ = max hef (6)
ccr , N scr , N

where: cmax is maximum distance from center of an anchor to the edge of concrete member (cmax ” ccr,N) and smax
is maximum center to center spacing of anchors (smax ” scr,N).
Geometric explanation of hef′ is shown in Fig. 1.

4.2. Effect of the disturbance of the distribution of stresses in concrete due to edges

The disturbance of the distribution of stresses in concrete due to the edges of the concrete member is defined by
the factor ψ s , N . For the anchor group with several edge distances (e.g. anchor in a corner of the concrete member or
in a narrow member), the smallest edge distance c shall be used in equation (7):

c
ψ s, N = 0.7 + 0.3 ≤1 (7)
ccr , N

4.3. Effects of shell spalling and the eccentricity of the load

The shell spalling factor ψ re , N , according to equation (8), takes into account the effect of a dense reinforcement
for embedment depths hef < 100 mm. If reinforcement of any diameter is provided at spacing • 150 mm or
reinforcement with a diameter of 10 mm or less is provided at spacing • 100 mm, ψ re , N = 1 .0 irrespective of the
embedment depth of the anchor. For the purpose of this paper, ψ re , N = 1 .0 was assumed.

hef
ψ re, N = 0.5 + ≤1 (8)
200

The factor ψ ec , N , according to equation (9), takes into account a group effect when different tension loads are
acting on the individual fasteners of a group. For the purpose of this paper, axial tension and ψ ec , N = 1 .0 was
assumed.

1
ψ ec, N = ≤1 (9)
1 + 2eN / scr , N

4.4. Concrete breakout strength of the anchor group in tension

The geometric effect of axial spacing and edge distance on the characteristic resistance is presented on an
example of the quadruple anchor group symmetrically embedded in non-reinforced concrete block, see Fig. 1.
As it was abovementioned in p. 3 and 4, the nominal concrete breakout strength is influenced by several
variables, from which the most relies to geometry of arrangement of anchors in the group and their edge distances.
0
The Ac , N to Ac ,N ratio takes into account disturbance of the failure cones in the anchor group, where Ac , N is the
projected concrete failure area for the specific layout being considered. It is determined from the layout geometry
and embedment of the anchor group. Overlapping of the failure concrete cones within anchor group decreases the
tensional resistance in comparison to the sum of tensional resistances of the four anchors accounted separately. It is
due to the fact that the idealized concrete cone for each from individual anchors is unable to develop.
0
For the quadruple sets of anchors, the Ac , N to Ac ,N ratio for almost every possible arrangements of anchors gives
usually an increase factor, but not more than 4.0, which ensures the transmission of the characteristic resistance of
the whole group of anchors far from the edges (group breakout). In such a case, the arrangement of anchors is
defined by: distance of center of an anchor to the edge of the concrete member ccr,N = 1.5hef and center to center
 Marek Węglorz / Procedia Engineering 193 (2017) 242 – 249 249

spacing of anchors scr,N = 2ccr,N = 3hef. Therefore, the idealized projected concrete failure cone area with no edge
limitations is derived from equation (10), see Fig. 1:

Ac , N = scr , N ⋅ s = (2 ⋅ 1.5hef )(2 ⋅ 1.5hef ) = 9hef

0 2
cr , N
(10)

The geometric effect of the group of 4 anchors arranged as it is shown in Fig. 1 on characteristic tensional
resistance NRk,c is presented in Fig. 3. According to the theoretical assumptions given in the
CEN/TS 1992-4 [1,2], all possible cases of the modification factors due to the quadruple anchors layout lie within
the shaded area marked in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3. Modification factors of axial spacing and edge distance of quadruple anchor group on characteristic resistance in case of the
concrete cone failure in tension.

5. Summary

In paper, the geometric effect of the layout of popular quadruple anchor group was presented on basis of
regulations given in Technical Specification CEN/TS 1992-4. In particular, this theoretical study is focused on
modification factors which influence characteristic resistance of headed steel anchors arranged in the group
embedded in concrete and subjected to axial tension only. The effects of overlapping of the concrete failure cones of
individual anchors within the group and edge distance on characteristic resistance in tension were considered.

References

[1] CEN/TS 1992-4-1: Design of fastenings for use in concrete - Part 4-1: General, CEN, Brussels, 2009.
[2] CEN/TS 1992-4-2: Design of fastenings for use in concrete - Part 4-2: Headed Fasteners, CEN, Brussels, 2009.
[3] EN 1993-1-8, Eurocode 3, Design of steel structures, Part 1-8, Design of joints, CEN, Brussels, 2006.
[4] fib Bulletin No. 58, Design of anchorages in concrete, Lausanne, 2011.
[5] U. Kuhlmann, F.Wald, J. Hofmann et al., Design of Steel-to-Concrete Joints, INFASO+ Design Manual II, Project No. RFS2-CT-2012-00022,
Research Fund for Coal and Steel, European Comission, 2014.
[6] R. Eligehausen, R. Mallee, J.F. Silva, Anchorage in Concrete Construction, Ernst und Sohn, Berlin, 2006.