Anchor System for Tension Testing of Large Diameter GFRP Bars

The scope of this paper is to describe the development of an anchor system for tension testing of unidirectional fiber-reinforced plastic bars of large diameter used as reinforcement in concrete structures. The main objective was to develop a simple, economical, and effective system to permit tensile loading of the bars up to failure in a universal testing machine. In the system suggested, each end of the bar is embedded in a conical polymeric head that fits a conical hole inside the anchoring device. In the experimental tests performed, the bars broke between the anchorages, while the resin heads remained always undamaged. These outcomes strengthen the confidence in the proposed anchor system.