ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates the mechanical behaviour observed during pull-out tests performed on over 60 steel anchor bolts embedded at variable depths (28–55mm) in slabs of concrete and mortar. The test results are compared to those obtained from a numerical simulation of the growth of an axial-symmetrical crack in a solid characterized by elasto-softening behaviour (cohesive crack model). Maximum loads are compared to those predicted by the most common design formulas and ‘size-effect’ is found to play a decisive role.
