Case studies of using FRP anchors in New Zealand

Abstract

The New Zealand Building Act of 2004 established the framework for seismic assessment and strengthening of existing buildings, and the Canterbury Earthquake sequence has highlighted the importance of such efforts. FRP materials are sometimes preferred over other options for strengthening of existing buildings, mainly for the light weight, versatility and durability of the material. As a result, the use of FRP materials as Externally Bonded Reinforcements (EBR) for the strengthening of existing structures has increased significantly in New Zealand over the last years. A few case studies have been compiled and are briefly summarised herein, focusing on the function that the FRP anchors fulfill. Detailed descriptions, the calculations and analyses cannot be included due to space limitations. The vast majority of the strengthening interventions in New Zealand are intended to improve the seismic behaviour of existing structures, and seismic strengthening is therefore the focus of this study. The use of FRP anchors to prevent or delay premature debonding, to ensure the continuity of the load path from the FRP materials into the structure and provide redundancy to the seismic load path has become widespread in seismic strengthening schemes. The paper focuses on the various ways in which FRP anchors are used in seismic strengthening.