Title: European Seismic Performance Categories C1 and C2 for Post-Installed Anchors

Author(s): Philipp Mahrenholtz and Richard L. Wood

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 117

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 31-44

Keywords: anchor; crack width; earthquake; experimental testing; load and crack cycling; seismic qualification and design; tension and shear load

DOI: 10.14359/51728071

Date: 11/1/2020

Abstract:
The recent publication of European design and qualification standards for post-installed anchors in seismic applications is a milestone in safe anchoring. A longstanding deficiency in European anchor qualification procedures has been addressed and a new seismic performance category has been introduced: the C2 seismic performance category. In the meantime, the discussion has started to also introduce the C2 category into ACI 355 and ACI 318. The primary aim of this paper is to provide the engineering community with the background and information necessary to understand the idea and rationale of the C2 qualification. After providing a brief background on the subject, the authors compare both the U.S. and European qualification requirements and examine the effect of the enhanced C2 requirements on the approved anchor design strength by an example study and database analysis of European approvals. The consistent system of product approval and the compatibility of the C2 category with the existing anchor design provisions in the United States makes the adoption of the C2 category in ACI standards feasible. A meaningful regulation when designing for the C2 requirements is critical.