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Chapter 10.
BOND AND ANCHORAGE
10.1. Reading Assignment
Chapter 5 of text
ACI 318 Chapter 12.

10.2. Introduction
Reinforcement for concrete to develop the strength of a section in tension depends on the
compatibility of the two materials to act together in resisting the external load. The reinforcing element, such as a reinforcing bar, has to undergo the same strain or deformation as the surrounding
concrete in order to prevent the discontinuity or separation of the two materials under load. The modulus of elasticity, the ductility, and the yield or rupture strength of the reinforcement must also be
considerably higher than those of the concrete to raise the capacity of the reinforced concrete section
to a meaningful level. Consequently, materials such as brass, aluminum, rubber, or bamboo are not
suitable for developing the bond or adhesion necessary between the reinforcement and the concrete.
Steel and fiber glass do possess the principal factors necessary: yield strength, ductility, and bond
value.
Bond strength results from a combination of several parameters, such as the mutual adhesion
between the concrete and steel interfaces and the pressure of the hardened concrete against the steel
bar or wire due to the drying shrinkage of the concrete. Additionally, friction interlock between the
bar surface deformations or projections and the concrete caused by the micro movements of the tensioned bar results in increased resistance to slippage. The total effect of this is known as bond. In
summary, bond strength is controlled by the following major factors:
1. Adhesion between the concrete and the reinforcing elements
2. Gripping effect resulting from the drying shrinkage of the surrounding concrete and the
shear interlock between the bar deformations and the surrounding concrete
3. Frictional resistance to sliding and interlock as the reinforcing element is subjected to
tensile stress
4. Effect of concrete quality and strength in tension and compression
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5. Mechanical anchorage effect of the ends of bars through development length, splicing,
hooks, and crossbars
6. Diameter, shape, and spacing of reinforcement as they affect crack development
The individual contributions of these factors are difficult to separate or quantify. Shear interlock, shrinking confining effect, and the quality of the concrete can be considered as major factors.

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10.3. Bond Stress Development

Bond stress is primarily the result of the shear interlock between the reinforcing element and
the enveloping concrete caused by the various factors previously enumerated. It can be described as
a local shearing stress per unit area of the bar surface. This direct stress is transferred from the concrete to the bar interface so as to change the tensile stress in the reinforcing bar along its length.
P

dx
C+dC

C
M

M+dM

T+dT

M + dM
T = M
;
T + dT =
Z
Z
For equilibrium of the bar section:
T + Udx = T + dT

dM = V
dx
u =

dT = dM
Z

Udx = dT
U = dT = dM 1
Z
dx
dx

T
kipsinch

T+dT

dx

U = V
Z

u = flexural bond stress; kips/in

0 = 0 Z
where 0is the perimeter or sum of perimeters of the bars at the section considered.

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10.4. Local Bond Effects near Cracks

Bars are greased before pouring concrete.

Main Reinforcing Bars:

Deformed Bars

(assume no bond)
-- Beam acts as a tied arch,
will not collapse
-- Tension in bars is uniform
and equal
M
T = max
Z

-- Stress in stell is maximum only

over a short section -- less
elsewhere
-- much smaller total deflection
-- Cracks are distributed, narrow

-- Linear total deformation results in large beam deflection,

large cracks

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Beam segment subjected to pure bending

Bar force T,
Bond Stress u =

U = dT
dx
U

0 Z

Load bond stress effects add to the above overal effects:

u total =

0 Z
overal

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10.5. Bond Failure

Bond failure is likely to occur near ends of beams, where high flexural bond stresses can
combine with high local bond stresses.
Bond failure may take two forms, both of which result from wedging action as the bar is
pulled relative to the concrete and often acts in concrete with shear crack and often acts in concrete
with shear crack.

Bond
splitting
vertical crack

shear crack

Horizontal crack

Tests at N.B.S. (National Bureau of Standards) and University of Texas indicate that bond failure
will occur when bond force U reaches a critical value. It is interesting to note that at failure, the force
U is independent of bar size. Consistent with concept of wedge action, when splitting force depends on driving force, not wedge width.

wedge action is when the ribs of deformed bars, bears against the concrete.
Tests have shown that for single bars causing vertical splits or for bars spaced further than 6
inches apart

U n = 35 f c
Ultimate average bond force per inch of length of
bar
vertical crack

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For bars spaced less than 6 inches apart, (causing horizontal splitting)

U n = 0.80 35 f c = 28 f c
Ultimate average bond force per inch of length of
bar
Horizontal crack

In terms of stresses rather than forces

un =

Un

35 f c
11 f c
=
d b
db

10.6. Development Length

Consider a beam similar to that used to obtain the results above:

M=0
T = As fS

T =0
fs = 0

T s = A bf s = Ul

(Average bond force per inch ) * length

or
A fs
Ts
Average bond force per unit length
= b
l
l
We may also solve for l to obtain the critical development length.
U =

ld =

A bf s
Un

Un is the ultimate bond force per unit length

Two criteria control development length calculation:

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1) Bond must be counted on to develop bar yield force (fs = fy)

2) Average ultimate bond force is limited to 35sqrt(fc) or 28sqrt(fc)
for spacing of greater than 6 inches
ld =

A bf y

35 f c

0.029A bf y

f c

for spacing of less than 6 inches:

ld =

A bf y

28 f c

0.0357A bf y

f c

If these lengths are provided, bond failure will not occur, obviously, small bars have less
bond problem than large bars. Smaller bars require less development length because
A b = 1 d 2b
4
therefore, the development length, ld , is proportional to squared of bar diameter. the smaller the bar
diameter the smaller will be the required development length.
According to ACI, the development length for design is obtained by a basic development
length as given above and then it is modified by a series of modification factors.

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10.7. Example of Embedment Length of Deformed bars

Calculate the required embedment length of the deformed bars in the following two cases: (12 inches
of concrete below top reinforcement). Assume that #3 stirrups are used for shear and stirrup spacing
based on shear calculations is 6.0 in. throughout the beam, S=6.0 in., d=15 in., Asrequired = 1.6 in.2
A) 3#7 bars top reinforcement in single layer in a beam with No. 3 stirrups
fc = 4,000 psi (normal weight)
fyt = 60,000 psi and fy = 60,000 psi
clear spacing between bars are 2db , clear side cover is 1.5 inches on each side.
B) Same as part (A), except that the clear spacing between bars is equal to one inch. The bars
are epoxy coated.

Solution (A)
ACI Sect. 12.2.3

y
t e s
l d = 3
40 fc c+K
db
d

tr

t = 1.3

Top bars

e = 1.0

Uncoated reinforcement

s = 1.0

No. 7 and larger bars

= 1.0

Normal weight concrete

d b = 0.875

in
center to center spacing
= 3 0.875 = 1.31
2
2

c = spacing or cover dimension =

A tr = 0.22

in
Controls

1.5 + 0.875 + 3 = 2.31

8
2

in.2

n = 3
s = 6 in.
A 40
K tr = strn
K tr = 0.22 40 = 0.49
36

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y
t e s
l d = 3
40 fc c+K
db
d

tr

c + K tr
= 1.31 + 0.49 = 2.06 < 2.5 ok
db
0.875

ld =

3 60, 000 1.3 1 1 0.875 = 39.3 in.

(2.06)
40 1 4, 000

l d = 50
As required
As provided

A reqd
s

ACI Section 12.2.5

A provided
s
=
=

1.6 in.2
3--#7= 1.8 in.2

l d = 39.3 1.6 = 35
1.8

12 in.

in. >

Alternative Solution I.
Can use Ktr = 0 as a design simplification even if transvers reinforcements are present
c + K tr
= 1.31 = 1.5 < 2.5 ok
db
0.875
ld =

3 60, 000 1.3 1 1 0.875 = 54 in.

40 1 4, 000
1.5

l d = 54 1.6 = 48
1.8

in. >

12 in.

Alternative Solution II.

ACI 12.2.2
f y t e
ld =
d b = 60000 1.3 1.0 0.875 = 61.6 in.

20 1 4000
20 f c
l d = 61.6 1.6 = 55
1.8

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Solution (B)
ACI Sect. 12.2.3

y
t e s
l d = 3
40 fc c+K
db
d

tr

t = 1.3

Top bars

e = 1.5

Epoxy coated reinforcement

s = 1.0

No. 7 and larger bars

t e = 1.3 1.5 = 1.95 < 1.7 use 1.7

ld =

= 1.0

Normal weight concrete

d b = 0.875

in.

l d = 51.4 1.6 = 45.7

1.8

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3 60, 000 1.7 1 1 0.875 = 51.4 in.

(2.06)
40 1 4, 000
in. >

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10.8. Example. Development length in tension. Figure below shows a beam--column joint in a continuous building frame. Based on frame analysis, the negative steel required at the end of the beam is
2.90 in2 and two No. 11 bars are used. providing A, = 3.12 in2. Beam dimensions are b = 10 in d = 18
in and h = 21 in. The design will include No. 3 stirrups spaced four at 3 inches followed by a constant
5 inches spacing in the region of the support. with 1.5 in. clear cover. Normal density concrete is to be
used, with fc = 4000 psi. and rebars have fy = 60,000 psi. Find the minimum distance ld at which the
negative bars can be cut off based on development of the required steel area at the face of the column.

3.43
Center to Center Spacing:
10 2(1.5) 2(3) 1.41 = 4.83 inches
8

Clear spacing:
4.83 1.41 = 3.43 inches

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ACI Sect. 12.2.3

f

y
t e s
l d = 3
40 fc c+Ktr
db
db

center to center spacing

= 1 (4.83) = 2.41 in
2
2

c = spacing or cover dimension =

Controls

1.5 + 38 + 1.412 = 2.58 in

A tr = 0.22
A 40
K tr = strn
K tr = 0.22 40 = 0.88
52
c + K tr
+ 0.88 = 2.33 < 2.5 ok
= 2.41 1.41
db

t = 1.3

Top bars

e = 1.0

Not Epoxy coated

s = 1.0

No. 7 and larger bars

= 1.3 1.0 = 1.3 < 1.7

ld =

= 1.0

Normal weight concrete

d b = 1.41

in

2.9 = 52
l d = 56 3.12

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3 60, 000 1.3 1 1 1.41 = 56 in

(2.33)
40 1 4, 000
in >

12 in

Development Length