A Practical Approach for Generating the Strut-and-Tie Models of Anchorage Zones

Abstract

This paper presents a practical method for automatically generating optimal strut-and-tie models (STMs) in anchorage zones. In the proposed approach, a new microtruss element pattern is created to build ground structures. In certain conditions, the approach could also be improved by combining the microtruss grids with solid elements. Furthermore, the formula for the cross-sectional areas of bar elements in the microtruss grid is deduced for the purpose of replacing the continuum structures built by solid elements with discrete structures built by truss elements. Then, three examples are illustrated to demonstrate the capability of the proposed optimization procedure to find the optimal STMs of anchorage zones. The existing solutions and numerical experiments indicate that the proposed approach accurately reflects the actual load-transfer mechanism in anchorage zones. The method can be used in practice, especially in the design of some disturbed regions (D-regions) in which optimal STMs cannot be obtained by traditional optimization procedures. It should be noted that at present, the application of the proposed model in this paper is limited to homogeneous material with linear constitutive laws.